Recent research has suggested that the dietary protein:carbohydrate (P:C) balance is a critical determinant of fitness in insects. In this study, we examined the effects of dietary P:C balance on life-time reproductive success in the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor. Both males and females lived the longest when fed on P:C 1:1 diet. Throughout their adult lives, females fed on P:C 1:1 diet laid significantly more eggs than those on nutritionally imbalanced diets (P:C 1:5 or 5:1). When given a choice, beetles regulated their intake of protein and carbohydrate to a ratio close to 1:1. Taken together, our results indicate the balanced intake of protein and carbohydrate maximizes life-time reproductive success in this species.

• Myung Suk Rho(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Taehwan Jang(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Kwang Pum Lee(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)