This study was performed to develop patties with quality characteristics using mealworm powder, followed by assessments of general compositions and the branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels of the patties. An analysis of the chromaticity of the patties shows that the lightness and yellowness were decreased, whereas the redness was increased, as the amount of mealworm powder was increased. According to the sensory evaluation, the mealworm patty that contain 20% of mealworm powder (M20) showed an overall high preference level. In terms of the mechanical properties, the hardness, gumminess, and chewiness were significantly increased, whereas the springiness and cohesivensee were decreased, as the amount of mealworm powder was increased. The general composition of the M20 consists of 41.84% (moisture), 8.78% (carbohydrates), 34.42% (crude protein), 13.15% (crude fats), and 1.81% (crude ash). The BCAA contents (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) significantly increased in correspondence with the increases of the as mealworm-powder amount regarding the M20, the BCAA composition consists of the following: leucine (2,906.25 mg/100 g), isoleucine (1,459.09 mg/100 g), and valine (1,813.18 mg/100g). The conclusion of this study suggests that mealworm is a potential food material that could possibly replace meat.

Protein and carbohydrate are the two most important macronutrients that have profound impacts on fitness and demography in most insects. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary protein:carbohydrate (P:C) balance and mating status on feeding behavior, longevity and fecundity in male and female mealworm beetles, Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). In the first experiment, we measured the amount of protein and carbohydrate consumed by mated and unmated beetles of both sexes. Newly emerged beetles were allowed to mate for 24 h before they were simultaneously provided with two nutritional imbalanced but complementary synthetic diets (P:C =1:5 vs. 5:1) for 24 successive days. Mated females not only consumed significantly more nutrients but also exhibited a greater preference for protein than did mated males and unmated controls. In the second experiment, we determined longevity and fecundity from a total of 120 male and female beetles that were confined to feed on one of three no-choice foods differing in P:C balance (P:C=1:5,1:1 or5:1) throughout their entire lives. Fecundity was recorded as the total number of eggs laid by individual females until death. Both male and female beetles lived significantly longer and laid more eggs over the lifetime on a balanced diet (1:1) than on the two imbalance diets (1:5 and 5:1), suggesting that the Darwinian fitness was maximized when the diet was equally balanced in protein and carbohydrate. Mated male and female beetles had a shorter longevity compared to their unmated counterparts, indicating that there was a significant survival cost to mating in this insect.

Entomopathogenic fungi are facultative microorganisms, dwelling in soil or infecting host insects, and some of the genera have been used as biological control agents worldwide. Collection of fungal isolates should be a platform for the development of highly effective resources, thus in this work we constructed a fungal library using a mealworm pathogenecity-based fungal collection method and further characterized some isolates with high virulence. A phylogenetic three was generated, and of the isolates 17 isolates’ biological features were characterized, such as morphology, spectrum of virulence, cultural characteristics, thermo-stability of fungi, production of biologically active materials, such as enzymes. This work reports an attractive entomopathogenic fungal library including the information of effective isolates in pest management.

본 연구는 갈색거저리(Tenebrio molitor)의 사료로 주로 이용되는 밀기울을 대체할 사료원료 개발을 목표로 수행되었다. 대체원료로서 열풍 건조시킨 귤껍질, 배추, 새송이버섯 및 팽이버섯 폐배지를 사용하였으며, 투여 후 유충의 생존율, 유충 무게, 유충의 발육기간, 용화율, 용무게를 측정하였다. 귤껍질과 배추를 첨가한 배지는 대체 먹이로 적합하지 않았다. 새송이버섯 폐배지의 모든 실험군에서 유충의 생존율은 대조군과 비 슷하였으나 유충의 무게는 대조군에 비해 다소 낮게 나타났고, 유충 발육기간은 폐배지의 함량이 높아질수록 길어짐이 관찰되었다. 팽이버섯 폐 배지 20~50% 첨가 조건에서 대조군과 비슷한 유충 및 용무게가 측정되었으며, 계대사육시 밀기울 사료에 40~50% 팽이버섯 폐배지를 첨가하 는 것이 용화율을 고려했을 때 가장 효과적일 것으로 분석되었다. 결론적으로, 팽이버섯 폐배지를 40%~50% 첨가한 조건에서 기존의 밀기울 사 육법과 비슷한 높은 효율성을 나타내기 때문에 팽이버섯 폐배지는 갈색거저리 유충의 대체사료로서 적합하다고 사료된다.

Mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) has high and safe protein contents, which enables it to be animal feed. However, occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi in mealworms is one of the limitations for mass production. In this work, we investigated relationships between abiotic conditions and occurrence of fungal pathogens and established an effective control method using fungicides. In virulence assay, third instar mealworm larvae were sprayed by six entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana isolates and kept under high relative humidity; B. bassiana ERL1575 isolate had highest virulence. Under normal humidity, ERL1575 conidia showed different virulence between spray (~0% virulence) and digestion (~80% virulence) method. Furthermore, mealworms, which digested conidia, were exposed to various temperature (20-35°C) and humidity (1-3 ml distilled water spray/35 mm diam. dish) conditions for 5 days. All the treatments showed ~90% virulence except 35°C incubations (~20% virulence), but irrespective to the humidity conditions. Forty chemical fungicides were assayed against conidial germination and hyphal growth of ERL1575. Fluazinam and mancozeb showed strong inhibition of conidial germination at standard application dose (SD), 1/2 SD and 1/5 SD; besides, fluazinam showed strong inhibition of hyphal growth. When fluazinam and mancozeb were applied to the fungal conidia-inoculated wheat bran, most of mealworms were alive after 3 days post application. However, high mortality rate (~100%) were observed in the conidia-inoculated wheat bran without any fungicides. In conclusion, this work suggests that B. bassiana isolates could be pathogens at <30°C when they were digested by mealworms, and fluazinam and mancozeb would be used as effective control agents against the pathogen.

Protein and carbohydrate are the two most important macronutrients that have profound consequences for the fitness of insects. Many insects are capable of balancing the intake of multiple nutrients to minimize the fitness costs associated with ingesting diets that are imbalanced with respect to protein and carbohydrate. It has been hypothesized that insects will redress the imbalance of their nutrient state through increasing the appetite for specific nutrients that are ingested in deficit. We tested this possibility using a mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Newly emerged beetles were confined to one of two nutritionally imbalanced foods that contained only protein or carbohydrate (P:C ratio = 0:42 and 42:0, expressed as % dry mass) for 16 days, after which they were given an opportunity to choose between two nutritionally imbalanced diets (0:42 versus 42:0). Over the first few days of the food choice, beetles that had previously experienced protein-limitation preferred protein to carbohydrate while the reverse was true for those that had experienced carbohydrate-shortage. Such contrasting patterns of diet preference observed between the two groups of beetles diminished subsequently as the insects recovered from nutrient imbalance. Our results provide strong support for the long-standing idea that attaining the right balance of nutrients is the main motive for foraging in insects.

갈색거저리의 온도에 따른 유충 발육시험을 15, 17, 20, 22, 25, 28 및 30℃의 7개 항온조건, 광주기 14L:10D, 상대습도 60~70% 조건에서 수행하였다. 유충은 13령까지 경과하였고 항온 조건에서 사망률은 17, 20℃에서 극소수 개체만이 발견되었고, 22℃ 이상의 항온조건에서는 발견되지 않았다. 유충의 발육기간은 17℃에서 244.3일로 가장 길었고, 30℃에서 110.8일로 가장 짧았다. 15℃는 부화되지 않아 유충 발육 조사가 불가능하였다. 온도와 발육율과의 관계를 알아보기 위하여 선형모형과 비선형모형(Logan 6)을 이용하였으며, 선형모형을 이용하여 추정한 전체유충의 발육영점온도는 6.0℃, 발육 유효적산온도는 2564.1DD 였으며 선형, 비선형 모두 결정계수값(r2) 이 0.95로 높은 값을 보였다. 전체유충의 발육완료분포는 2-parameter Weibull 함수를 사용하였으며 전체 유충의 결정계수 값은 0.8502~0.9390의 양호한 모형 적합성을 보였다.

Cry3 toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis are used as biopesticides and the transgenic crops to control of leaf-feeding beetles. Cadherin in insect midgut epithelium is identified as receptor for Cry toxins in several insects and some domains of it synergizes Cry toxicity. Cadherin (DvCad1-CR8-10) fragment of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera enhanced Cry3Bb toxicity to Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Single cadherin repeat (CR) fragment of DvCad1-CR8-10, have a strong binding affinity to the active Cry3Bb toxin. The dissociation constant Kd value of CR8, CR9, and CR10 were 4.9 nM, 28.2 nM, and 4.6 nM, respectively. Interestingly, CR8 and CR10 enhanced Cry3Bb toxicity against CPB and Lesser mealworm (LMW), Alphitobius diaperinus, neonates in up to 2-folds. The DvCad1-CR10 peptide is further analyzed by in-frame deletion to determine the active site for Cry3Bb toxin. The active site is narrowed down to a 26 amino acid locating in the N-terminal region of DvCad1-CR10 that either synergized Cry3Bb toxicity on the CPB and LMW neonates in 3-folds or bound to the toxin with high affinity. The extent of Cry3Bb toxin enhancement by the activie site in DvCad1-CR10 may have practical application for control of CPB and LMW.

The developmental time of larvae of mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor was studied at six temperatures ranging from 17 to 30℃ with 60~70% RH, and a photoperiod of 14L:10D. Mortality of 1st~13th larva was very low at 17 and 20℃ but did not die over 22℃. Developmental time of larva decreased with increasing temperature. The total developmental time was longest at 17℃ (244.3 days) and shortest at 30℃ (110.8 days), suggesting that the higher temperature, the faster development period. The lower developmental threshold temperature and effective accumulative temperatures for the total larval stages were 6.0℃ and 2564.1 day-degrees. The relationship between developmental rate and temperature fitted a linear model and nonlinear model by Logan-6 (r2=0.95). The distribution of completion of each development stage was well described by the 3-parameter Weibull function (r2=0.89).

키틴합성저해제인 diflubenzuron, triflumuron, chlorfluazuron을 갈색거처리와 유충과 번데기에 처리하여 효력검정법을 개발하였다. 유충에 대한 처리는 국소처리와 독먹이처리를 행하였고, 번데기에 대하요 용체침적처리와 미량주사처리를 행하였다. 유충에 대한 10 국소처리와 번데기에 대한 100ppm 용체 침적처리 결과 세약제 모두 유충 및 번덱의 발육에 아무런 영향을 주지 않았다. 유충에 대한 독먹이 처리에 있어서의 {{{{ { LC}_{ 50} }}}}값은 diflubenzuron 11.3, triflumuron 42.7, chlorfluazuron 6.2ppm이었다. 번데기에 대한 미량주사처리에서는 diflubenzuron 0.053, triflumuron 0.230, chlorfluazuron 0.340 /pupa의 {{{{ { LC}_{ 50} }}}}값을 나타내었다.

This study was conducted to examine the performance of poultry production and ammonia emissions from poultry litter when the mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) powder was fed to broilers and ducks. In Experiment 1, a total of 180 1-day-old broilers (Arbor acres) were allocated to two treatments with three replicates in a completely randomized design. In Experiment 2, ducks were used in the same method as in Experiment 1. The dietary treatments were as follows: basal diets as control and basal diets with 1.5% Tenebrio molitor L. powder as T1. In Experiment 1, broiler production was not affected by the addition of mealworm powder (p>0.05). Ammonia from broiler litter was observed significantly different in the two treatments at 4 and 5 weeks (p<0.05); however, in other weeks ammonia measured did not show significance different (p>0.05). In Experiment 2, feeding of mealworm powder had no statistical significance on duck productivity (p>0.05). Ammonia emissions from duck litter were not statistically significant in the two treatments at 2 to 5 weeks (p>0.05); however, there was a difference at 6 weeks (p<0.05). Therefore, the addition of mealworm powder to broiler and duck diets did not only improved weight gain and feed efficiency, but also effectively reduced ammonia in poultry litter.

국제연합식량농업기구(FAO)는 2050년, 전 세계 인구 수가 약 90억에 이를 것으로 예측하였다. 이와 같은 인구 증가는 여러 식량 및 환경 문제들을 야기할 수 있다. 또한 식량 및 에너지원 생산과정에서 자연계에 과잉으로 배출되는 질소, 인은 토양 산성화 및 부영양화 등의 환경문제를 유발할 수 있다. 이에 대한 해결책으로 FAO에서는 ‘곤충’을 자원(식･약품, 사료, 비료 등)으로 활용하는 것을 제시하였다. 현재 국내 연구는 곤충의 이용가능성 여부 및 활용기술개발 위주의 연구에 치중되어있어 곤충활용에 따른 환경성 연구는 전무한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 국내에서 식용곤충으로 인정받은 곤충 6종 중 갈색거저리와 벼메뚜기를 선정하여 곤충의 활용방안에 따른 환경성 평가를 진행하였다. 갈색거저리는 최근 식량자원으로써 각광받고 있는 종이며 번데기까지 사용할 수 있는 완전변태 곤충이다. 벼메뚜기는 예로부터 식품으로 이용된 친숙한 종이며 대표적인 불완전변태 곤충이다. 본 연구의 목적은 곤충 분류(번데기의 유무)에 따른 활용방안의 환경성을 비교･평가하고 이를 기존 단백질원과 비교하는 것이다. 갈색거저리와 벼메뚜기의 환경성 평가는 질소, 인 흐름분석 및 전과정평가를 사용하였다. 이는 인간이 곤충을 단백질원으로 섭취하였을 경우와 곤충 사료로 키운 가축을 섭취하였을 경우로 나누어 분석하였다. 이를 토대로 물질흐름의 각 단계를 비료, 작물, 곤충, 가축, 사람으로 나누어 유입, 유출되는 질소와 인의 양을 산정하고 이에 따른 질소, 인 이용효율을 산정하였다. 또한 갈색거저리와 벼메뚜기 사육 시 발생하는 온실가스 량을 기존의 단백질원 생산과 비교 하였다.연구 결과 갈색거저리가 기존 단백질원인 한우와 벼메뚜기보다 질소, 인이용효율이 높았으며 온실가스 발생량이 적었다. 또한 갈색거저리는 번데기까지 사료로써 이용이 가능하기 때문에 활용범위가 넓을 것이라 생각한다.