Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.

Sci (2020) 9(5): 3544-3559

International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 5 (2020)
Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.905.422

Influence of Temperature and Humidity on the

Development of Tenebrio molitor L.

D. A. Mirzaeva1, N. A. Khujamshukurov1*, B. Zokirov1,

B. O. Soxibov2 and D. Kh. Kuchkarova3
1
Tashkent Chemical-Technological Institute, 2Surkhandarya Regional Center for
Education and Training of Public Education Workers, 3Tashkent Architectural-Civil
Engineering Institute, Uzbekistan

*Corresponding author

ABSTRACT

This article determines the effect of temperature on humidity on the development of

larvae, pupae and adults of different ages based on the sixth generation (F6) of the edible
insect Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The survival properties of young
(<30 mg) and adult (<100 mg) larvae, pupae and adults of Tenebrio molitor (F6) under the
influence of relative humidity (RH) of 25, 50, 75 and 95% at a temperature of 10, 25, 35
Keywords and 40°C, respectively, for 6 to 48 hours. For moderate survival of young larvae (<30 mg)
Coleoptera, Tenebrio molitor (F6), relative humidity 50-75% (survival 92-99%) at 10°C, relative
Tenebrionidae, humidity 50-75% (survival 100%) at 25°C, relative humidity 50-75% (survival rate 92-
Tenebrio molitor, 98%) at a temperature of 35°C is considered a favorable condition, while at a temperature
edible insects, of 40°C and a relative humidity of 25-95% for 12-48 hours showed 100% viability for 6
larvae, pupae, adult, hours . All other relative humidity showed a sharp loss of viability at this temperature
insects protein, (viability from 76% to 38%). It was noted that adult larvae (<100 mg) of Tenebrio molitor
relative humidity, (F6) showed moderate relative humidity of 50–75% (viability 98–99%) at a temperature of
temperature 10°C for 6–48 h. At a relative humidity of 50%, the average survival periods of time was
Article Info 95%, and with a relative humidity of 75%, the survival rate of 98.5% that is 3.5% more. It
was found that for adult larvae (<100 mg) Tenebrio molitor (F6), a relative humidity of 25–
Accepted: 95% is convenient at a temperature of 25°C (viability of 100%). Adult larvae (<100 mg) of
28 April 2020 Tenebrio molitor (F6) showed 100% viability, at 25-95% relative humidity for 6 h at 35°C,
Available Online: while larvae stored at 25% relative humidity for 12 h showed 92%, at 50-75% relative
10 May 2020 humidity they showed 100% viability, at 95% relative humidity showed 78% viability. It
was noted that the average survival rate for all segments of relative humidity after 12 hours
was 92%. It was noted that for the survival of adult larvae (<100 mg) Tenebrio molitor
(F6), a temperature of 40°C and a relative humidity of 25–95% give a stress effect
(survival rate of 32%, 44%, 63%, 77%, respectively).

Introduction 2015; Park and Yun, 2018). Given the

existing production capacities, agroecological
By 2050, the number of people in the world is situation and the existing agricultural
expected to exceed 9 billion (Grafton et al., potential, it is impossible to provide a
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sufficient number of nutritious products to a greenhouse gases into the environment

sufficient number of people (Dobermann et (Oonincx & de Boer, 2012).
al., 2017).
In addition to its low environmental impact, it
In addition, due to abrupt changes in climatic is characterized by a very high level of
conditions, problems in food production are productivity and the ability to organize the
growing day by day (van Huis and Oonincx, production process regardless of the time of
2017). This requires a search for alternative year. In particular, cattle or pigs cannot feed
sources of traditional foods and their in-depth on any plant matter; many types of plants can
scientific and practical research (Patel et al., be used to grow insects
2019). Edible insect s can serve as one of .
such alternative sources (Murefu et al., 2019), This also leads to a sharp reduction in the feed
(Zielinska et al., 2018). As a result of ongoing problem during cultivation (Durst &Shono,
research, standard technologies are being 2010) and further reduces production costs
developed for the production of products (Mirzaeva et al., 2020a). In world practice, it
based on edible insects, which are of high is noted that there is a wide range of insect
nutritional value and are intended to be added species, such as Hermetia illucens, Tenebrio
to dietary products (Gao et al., 2018). molitor, Achetado mesticus, Alphitobius
dioperinus, Zophobas morio, which can be
Due to the rapid development of animal widely used as food and feed additives (FAO.
husbandry, poultry farming and fishing, 2014).
which are among the priorities in feed
production, the problem of providing these One of the main tasks is to create an
industries with uninterrupted and nutritious inexpensive and cost-effective feed base with
feed products is growing rapidly full nutritional value for raising animals,
(Khujamshukurov, 2011). In recent years, the poultry and eggs, fish and fish products for
production of feed additives based on edible human consumption, as well as the
insects has become one of the most common introduction of technologies for their effective
methods in agriculture. According to Van use. In particular, the problem of providing
Huis (2013), mixed locust-based feed grown the fish and poultry processing industry in the
under controlled conditions (Acheta Republic of Uzbekistan with inexpensive and
domesticus) was twice as effective in energy-efficient feed products remains urgent.
chickens, four times in pigs, and more than 12 This is evident from the fact that only in the
times in cattle. second half of 2017 and the first half of 2018,
the state allocated 630 thousand tons of wheat
The feed insect breeding process is to the production of feed for the production of
characterized by very low environmental livestock products. However, directing this
damage compared to other types of amount of wheat to feed for humans, it is
production, including very low NH3 and possible to replace it based on non-traditional
greenhouse gas emissions compared to cattle insect feed biomass (Khujamshukurov et al.,
breeding (Oonincx et al., 2010). In addition, 2016; Mirzaeva et al., 2020b).
to obtain the protein consumed on the basis of
1 kg of beet flour, very few land areas are This study aims to provide people with
required for the production process compared environmentally friendly feed products with
to the land needed for raising chickens, pigs full nutritional value for scientists around the
or cattle, and therefore emits very few world.

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Table.1 Widely studied insect species as edible insects

Insect species Protein(%) Aminoacid (%) CrudeFibre(%) NDF(%) ADF(%) Minerals(%) Scientific sources
Lepidoptera
Achroia grisella(L) 33.97 60.0 na 19.5 8.19 1.4 Finke, 2002
Bombyx mori(L) 53.75 8.09 na 6.36 6.36 6.36 Finke, 2002; Frye et al.,1989
Chilecomadia moorei(L) 38.94 73.86 na 6.53 3.52 2.01 Finke, 2012
Hyalophora cecropia(L) 54.7 10.2 14.7 na na 5.9 Landry et al.,1986
Collosamia promethean(L) 49.4 10.0 10.8 na na 6.9 Landry et al.,1986
Manduca sexta(L) 58.1 20.7 9.4 na na 7.4 Landry et al.,1986
Spodoptera frugiperda(L) 57.8 20.2 6.7 na na 5.6 Landry et al.,1986
Pseudaletia unipuncta(L) 54.4 14.9 5.0 na na 6.9 Landry et al.,1986
Spodoptera eridania(L) 54.7 13.9 7.1 na na 9.8 Landry et al.,1986
Samia ricinii(PP) 54.2 26.20 3.26 na na 3.80 Longvah et al.,2011
Samia racinii(P) 54.6 26.20 3.45 na na 3.80 Longvah et al.,2011
Cirina forda 20.0 12.5 8.7 na na NA Osasona&Olaofe, 2010
Antheraea pernyi 71.9 20.1 na na na 4.0 Zhou&Han, 2006
Z.morio(A) 68.05 14.25 na 50.14 32.06 6.16 Oonincx&Dierenfeld,2012
Z.morio 46.79 42.04 na 9.26 6.41 2.38 Finke, 2002
T.molitor 49.08 35.17 na 14.96 6.56 2.36 Finke, 2002
Cotinis ntida 51.75 5.41 19.3 na na 12.34 Rakashantong et al.,2010
Hymenoptera
Oecophyllas maragdina 53.46 13.46 15.38 na na 6.55 Rakashantong et al.,2010
Orthoptera
Acheta domesticus 66.56 22.08 na 22.08 10.39 3.57 Finke, 2002; Bernard et al.,1997
Microcentrumr 77.80 9.00 na 41.14 19.39 9.10 Oonincx & Dierenfeld,2012
hombifolium(A)
Anurogryllus arboreus 48.69 20.60 11.61 na na 9.36 Rakashantong et al.,2010
Diptera
H.illucens 45.10 36.08 na 9.79 7.73 9.02 Finke, 2012
Musca domestica(L) 78.17 7.5 na 14.29 11.51 6.75 Finke, 2012
D.melanogaster(A) 68.00 19.00 na 17.66 10.14 7.20 Oonincx & Dierenfeld,2012;Barker
et al.,1998
Blattodea
Blatta Lateralis 61.5 32.4 na 9.06 7.12 3.9 Finke, 2012
B.lateralis(S) 76.05 14.45 na 11.41 10.87 7.88 Oonincx & Dierenfeld,2012
B.Lateralis(M) 62.85 26.50 na 12.76 12.75 6.89 Oonincx & Dierenfeld,2012
Eublaberus distanti 52.1 43.1 na na na 2.98 Oonincx & Dierenfeld,2012
Gromphador hinaportentosa 63.35 20.30 na 36.54 13.12 8.49 Oonincx & Dierenfeld,2012
Periplaneta americana 53.9 28.4 na na 9.4 3.3 Bernard et al.,1997
A-Adullt,M-medium,S-small,L-larvae,P-pupae,PP-prepupae,na-not applicable

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Table.2 Storage of proteins and fats of certain types of edible insects (relative to dry matter,%)

Type of insects The scientific name of the insect Protein Fat Scientific sources
Larvae Allomyrina dichotoma 54,18 20,24 Ghosh et al., (2017)
Anaphe infracta 20,00 15,20 Banjo et al., (2006)
Anaphe recticulata 23,00 10,20 Banjo et al., (2006)
Anaphe venata 25,70 23,21 Banjo et al., (2006)
Gonimbrasia belina 56,95 10,00 Siulapwa et al., (2014)
Gynani samaja 55,92 12,10 Siulapwa et al., (2014)
Protaetia brevitarsis 44,23 15,36 Ghosh et al., (2017)
Rhynchophorus phoenicis 22,06 66,61 EkpoandOnigbinde (2005)
Tenebrio molitor 46,44 32,70 Ravzanaadii et al., (2012)
Beetle Heteroligus meles 38,10 32,01 Jonathan (2012)
Oryctes boas 26,00 1,50 Banjo et al., (2006)
Rhynchophorus phoenicis 50,01 21,12 Jonathan (2012)
Rhynchophorus phoenicis 28,42 31,40 Banjo et al., (2006)
Grasshopper Ruspolia differens 44,59 49,00 Siulapwa et al., (2014)
Zonocerus variegatus 26,80 3,80 Banjo et al., (2006)
Cricket Brachytrypes spp. 6,25 2,34 Banjo et al., (2006)
Gryllus bimaculatus 58,32 11,88 Ghosh et al., (2017)
Teleogryllus emma 55,65 25,14 Ghosh et al., (2017)
Termites Macrotermes bellicosus 20,10 28,20 Banjo et al., (2006)
Macrotermes falciger 43,26 43,00 Siulapwa et al., (2014)
Macrotermes notalensis 22,10 22,50 Banjo et al., (2006)
Bee Apis mellifera 21,00 12,30 Banjo et al., (2006)
Dragonfly Aeschna multicolor 54,24 16,72 Ramos-Elorduy et al., (1998)
Anax sp. 26,22 22,93 Ramos-Elorduy et al., (1998)

To solve this problem, scientists and specialists another 47% in 2019–2026 (Industry Forecasts,
all over the world have introduced many 2020).
methods and technologies. One of the most
convenient and inexpensive alternatives is to At the end of 2019, the economic indicator in
grow these edible insects and use them as food the general edible insect market amounted to $
and feed. Table 1 shows the protein and amino 24.18 million, while the share of European
acid compositions that determine the countries amounted to $ 10.34 million (Kunal
nutritional value of some insectivores reflected Ahuja and Kritika Mamtani, 2020). This
in scientific sources. indicates that there is competition for the
further development of stable economic
One of the most promising areas of modern indicators in the edible insect market.
production is the development of feed products Therefore, one of the most promising areas in
based on edible insects that are easy to store in Uzbekistan is the cultivation of edible insects
terms of high protein content and low fat in controlled conditions, the introduction of
content and easy digestion. practices based on their use in animal
husbandry, poultry farming and fishing.
In Uzbekistan, the production and use of feed The aim of this study was to study the effect of
products and additives based on edible insects temperature with relative humidity on the
has not yet been implemented. However, global development of the larvae, pupae, and adults of
insect-based economic growth in 2019 reached the edible insect Tenebrio molitor L.
$ 112 million and is projected to increase by (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

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Materials and Methods a vessel for generating steam was inserted into
the chamber, a moist chamber was formed, and
The sixth generation (F6) Tenebrio molitor the specified humidity was maintained. The
(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), collected from study used the Bloomberg method to ensure
the southern foothills of Uzbekistan and that the temperature and relative humidity in
propagated under controlled conditions, was each container were the same (for example,
obtained on the basis of variant F1. In this 25°C/75% per hour) (Blumberg, 1971).
study, variants of larvae of TMO-2 and TMO-6
based on variant F6 were used to determine The calculation of statistical error, mean value,
viability. During the study, 2 larvae (F1 variant) confidence intervals and standard deviations of
were selected from the collected and numbered experimental data was carried out using the
Tenebrio molitor larvae and beetles (128: computer program STATISTICA 6.0 and
larvae 108, beetles 20), which were the largest standard methods. The statistical significance
in size (TMO-2: 5.36 cm, TMO-6: 4.83 cm) of the results was determined using Student's t-
compared with the rest during visual criterion.
observation, a Tenebrio molitor colony was
formed on their basis. Growing conditions: Results and Discussion
Used a special nutrient medium based on wheat
bran, Lemna minor and Azollacarolina, The survival characteristics of the Tenebrio
developed by the authors. molitor beetle, which is considered aedible
insect, grew at different temperatures and
Constant insect retention temperature 20-22°C. relative humidity, and the dynamics of its
The studies used temperatures of 10-40°C. development were studied. The results showed
Lighting mode (photoperiodic mode): 8 hours that young larvae weighing about 30 mg
of light, 16 hours of darkness.In studies, the showed a survival rate of 58% when they were
age of the larvae was divided based on accurate kept at 25% relative humidity for 6 hours at
measurements. Young larvae <30 mg, adult 10°C, and a survival rate of 92-99% when they
larvae <100 mg. The larvae, cocoons, and were kept at a relative humidity of 50-75%
beetles of the objects of study were formed in a (fig. 1).
colony of 10 groups each.The number of
objects in each group was set to 30. (RH) - While maintaining a relative humidity of 95%
relative humidity is calculated in%. for 6 hours, there is a sharp decrease in survival
to 78%. When the larvae were kept at 10°C for
Relative humidity was calculated using the 12 hours at 25% relative humidity for 25 hours
following formula: . Here:-water at 25-50% relative humidity, the survival rate
was 52-83%, at 75% relative humidity the
vapor density (absolute humidity), (SI survival rate was 99%, at 95% relative
system) or ;Н- density of saturated water humidity the survival rate was sharp fell 49%,
respectively.
vapor at a certain temperature, or .A
psychrometer was used to determine relative The larvae showed a viability of 29% at a
humidity. A standard scale on a psychrometer relative humidity of 25%, 68% at a relative
was used as a relative humidity scale. humidity of 50%, and 77% at a relative
humidity of 75% when kept for 24 hours,
To maintain constant humidity, the containers which indicates that the indicators moved from
in which insect larvae, cocoons and beetles bottom to top. It was noted that in larvae
were grown were hermetically closed (30 min), captured within 24 hours at a relative humidity
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of 95%, viability was sharply reduced to 34%. humidity 75% showed a high survival rate of
Young larvae weighing about 30 mg showed 14.0%. This indicates that adult larvae are
very low viability - 9% at a relative humidity more resistant to this relative humidity than
of 25%, while at a relative humidity of 50- young larvae.
75%, the survival of these larvae increased to
52-63%. The survival rate of the above larvae In fig. Figure 3 shows the data obtained by
in this case did not show the survival rate of growing Tenebrio molitor pupae at different
11% of larvae that remained for 48 hours at relative humidity and at a temperature of 10°C.
95% humidity. Analyzing the statistical data, it According to the results, when the pupae were
was noted that at a temperature of 10°C with a kept for 6-12 hours at a relative humidity of
relative humidity of 50-75% at all time periods, 25-95%, their average survival rate was
the humidity was moderate for young (<30 mg) 98.75%. When the pupae were kept at 25%
Tenebrio molitor larvae. At a relative humidity relative humidity for 24 hours, 86% and at 95%
of 50%, the average survival rate was 73.75%, relative humidity, the survival rate was 78%. It
and at a relative humidity of 75% - 84.5%, that was noted that the average survival rate was
is, 10.75% higher. 98% when the pupa was kept at a relative
humidity of 50-75% for 24 hours. It was
Figure 2 shows the survival of adult larvae observed that pupae kept at a relative humidity
(<100 mg) of Tenebrio molitor (F6) at 10°C of 25% for 48 hours showed a viability of 86%,
and various relative humidity. The results while survival at a relative humidity of 50%
showed that adult larvae showed a viability of decreased to 82%. However, pupae kept at a
98-99% when kept at all values of relative relative humidity of 75% over the same period
humidity for 6-12 hours. However, at this of time showed a viability of 98%. At a relative
temperature, adult larvae showed a viability of humidity of 95%, a viability of 74% was
98% with a relative humidity of only 50–75% observed. For 6–12 h, the average survival of
for 24 hours, a viability of 79% with a pupae at a relative humidity of 25–95% was
humidity of 25% and 73% with a relative 98.75%, and the average survival of pupae at a
humidity of 95%. relative humidity of 25–95% for 24 h was
91.5%, and the average survival of pupae held
A similar trend was observed in larvae at the relative humidity of 25-95% for 48 hours
recorded at a relative humidity of 48–95% for was 85.05%, while the survival rate was 6.5%
48 h, with viability 68–70%, respectively. In higher after 24 hours than after 48 hours.
adult larvae kept at a relative humidity of 50–
75% for 48 hours, a corresponding survival rate The average survival of pupae at a relative
of 84–98% was observed. At a temperature of humidity of 25–95% for 12–24 h was 98.75%,
10°C, relative humidity of 50–75% in all time while the average survival was 10.5% higher
intervals was moderate humidity for young than that of pupae that remained for 24–48 h at
(<100 mg) Tenebrio molitor larvae. At a this humidity.
relative humidity of 50%, the average survival
time was 95%, and at a relative humidity of Figure 4 shows the survival rates of adult
75%, the survival rate was 98.5%, that is, 3.5% Tenebrio molitor (F6) individuals at a
more. Compared to young larvae (<30 mg), temperature of 10°C and various relative
retained at a relative humidity of 50–75% at humidity. It was found that in adults the overall
10°C, in adult larvae (<100 mg), the average survival rate is 98.5% when stored at a relative
survival over time periods was 21.25% at a humidity of 25–95% at 10–12°C for 6–12
relative humidity of 50% and at a relative hours.

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Adults held at these relative humidity levels for relative humidity 50%, at 92% relative
24 hours showed an average survival rate of humidity 75% and at 35% relative humidity
32.1%, while adults held at 48 hours showed an 95%.
average survival rate of 49.75%. It was noted
that the average adult survival for 24-48 hours When larvae were stored for 24 and 48 hours,
at a relative humidity of 25-95% was 57%, and these indicators tended to decrease sharply. In
the survival rate was 41.5% lower than that for particular, it was found that the average
adults held for 6-12 hours at a relative humidity survival in all segments of moisture after 24
of 25-95%. hours was 47%, and when stored for 48 hours -
28%. Figure 10 shows the survival of large
Figure 5 shows the survival of young Tenebrio larvae (<100 mg) of Tenebrio molitor (F6) at
molitor (F6) larvae (<30 mg) at 25°C and 35°C and various relative humidity. According
various relative humidity. In accordance with to the results, adult larvae, stored for 6 hours at
the results, it was noted that all young larvae a relative humidity of 25-95%, showed 100%
stored at 25°C for 6-24 hours at a relative viability. It was found that the larvae stored at a
humidity of 25-75% showed 100% viability. relative humidity of 25% for 12 h had a
Larvae kept at a relative humidity of 25% for viability of 92%, at 50–75% relative humidity
48 hours showed a viability of 90%. Larvae of 100% and at 95% relative humidity of 78%.
retained at a relative humidity of 95% for 6–12
h also showed 100% viability, while larvae It was noted that the average survival rate for
kept at this relative humidity for 48 h showed all segments of relative humidity after 12 hours
92% viability. The results showed that the was 92%. Adult larvae stored at 25% relative
optimum temperature for the moderate humidity for 24 hours showed a viability of
development of young larvae is humidity in the 65%, at 50% relative humidity 85% and at 75%
range of 25°C and relative humidity of 50- relative humidity 100%. Over a 24-hour period,
75%. the average survival of adult larvae in all
segments of moisture was 69.5%. When adult
Figure 6 shows the survival of large larvae larvae were kept at a relative humidity of 95%
(<100 mg) of Tenebrio molitor (F6) at 25°C for 48 hours, survival was sharply reduced to
and various relative humidity. According to the 49%.
results of the study, all adult larvae showed
100% viability at a temperature of 25°C and a In this case, the overall survival of adult larvae
relative humidity of 25-95%. Similar indicators retained at a relative humidity of 95% for 48
were observed in pupae (Fig. 7) and adults hours averaged 50.25%. Figure 11 shows the
(Fig. 8) Tenebrio molitor. survival of Tenebrio molitor (F6) pupae at 35°C
and various relative humidity. According to the
Figure 9 shows the survival of young larvae results, the pupae showed 100% viability when
(<30 mg) of Tenebrio molitor (F6) at 35°C and stored at 35°C and at 25-50% relative humidity
various relative humidity. According to the for 6-12 hours. Although pupae stored for 24
results, young larvae showed a viability of 71% hours at 25% relative humidity showed a
when stored at 25% relative humidity for 6 viability of 82%, they showed 100% viability
hours at 35°C, 92-98% at a relative humidity of when stored for 24-7 hours at a relative
50-75% and 61% at a relative humidity of humidity of 50-75%. However, observations
95%. At this time, the average survival at all showed that while maintaining a relative
relative humidity was 81.5%. It was found that humidity of 95% for 48 hours, it loses viability
young larvae at 12% relative humidity for 12 by 44.5%.
hours had a survival rate of 61%, at 82%
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According to these results, it was determined and a survival rate of 68% at a relative
that the average relative humidity should be humidity of 50%. However, it was reported
50-75%. This is also evidenced by the fact that that adult larvae that were stored for 6 hours at
pupae stored for 48 hours at a relative humidity 75% and 95% relative humidity lost 62–78%
of 25% lose 28% viability, at 50% relative viability, respectively. It was noted that at a
humidity 18% and at 75% relative humidity temperature of 40°C for 12 hours at 25-95%
8%. relative humidity, 32, 44, 63 and 77%,
respectively, are lost.
It was also noted that at 95% relative humidity,
a moisture loss of 81%. Figure 12 shows the When stored at these relative humidity levels
survival rates of adult Tenebrio molitor (F6) for 24 and 48 hours, a stressful condition
individuals at a temperature of 35°C and occurred with a loss of viability of 58–77, 61–
various relative humidity, while adult 82, 72–89, and 84–92%, respectively.
individuals demonstrate 100% viability when Therefore, for adult larvae, a temperature of
stored at 25–95% relative humidity for 6–48 40°C and a relative humidity of 50-95% are
hours. one of the stress factors. Figure 15 shows the
survival rates of Tenebrio molitor (F6) pupae at
It was also noted that adults held for 12 hours 40°C and various relative humidity. The results
at 50–75% relative humidity also showed showed that pupae lost an average of 38-32%
100% survival. It was found that adults lost viability when stored at 25-50% relative
18% viability when storage was 6 hours at 25% humidity for 6 hours, respectively, while when
relative humidity, and adults lost 91% survival stored for 12 hours at this relative humidity,
when stored for 48 hours at 95% relative they lost 51-48% viability.
humidity. Therefore, in this case, evaporation
occurs together with the temperature of relative It was also found that a sharp loss of viability
humidity, free oxygen is lost, which leads to was observed under storage conditions for 24–
the death of the insect due to breathing 48 h at relative humidity. In particular, it was
difficulties. found that pupae lose 89, 92, 94, and 96%
viability, respectively, when stored in the
This situation can also be observed in the studied humidity for 6–48 hours.
survival rates of young larvae (<30 mg) of
Tenebrio molitor (F6), shown in Figure 13, at a It has been reported that a temperature of 40°C
temperature of 40°C and various relative has a sharp negative effect on adult survival of
humidity. In particular, it was noted that young Tenebrio molitor (F6) (Fig. 16). In particular,
larvae, which showed 100% viability in all adults who stayed for 6 hours at a relative
cases of observation, lost 38, 42, 58, and 76% humidity of 25-95% lost viability of 36, 42, 48,
viability when stored at 40°C and at 255% and 74%, respectively, while survival rates of
relative humidity for 6-48 hours, respectively. 44, 54, 60, and 72% were recorded for 12 hours
In proportion to this, a sharp loss of viability at these relative humidity levels, respectively.
was observed at any relative humidity and
storage time. Thus, it was noted that all relative The lowest rate was observed at 48 hours of
humidity at 40°C negatively affects young storage. In particular, a viability of 88, 86, 91,
larvae. Adult larvae, on the other hand, can be and 96% was detected at a relative humidity of
resistant to a relative humidity of 25-50% for 6 25-95%, respectively. This indicates that a
hours (Fig. 14). In particular, a 75% survival temperature of 40°C is also one of the stress
rate was observed at a relative humidity of 25% factors in adult survival.

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Figure.1 Survival rates of young larvae of Tenebrio molitor (F6) (<30 mg) at 10°C and different
relative humidity,%

Figure.2 Survival rates of large larvae of Tenebrio molitor (F6) (<100 mg) at 10°C and different
relative humidity,%

Figure.3 Tenebrio molitor (F6) pupae survival rates at 10°C temperature and different relative
humidity,%

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Figure.4 Tenebrio molitor (F6) survival rates of adults at 10°C temperature and different relative humidity,%

Figure.5 Survival rates of young larvae of Tenebrio molitor (F6) (<30 mg) at 25°C and different relative humidity,%

Figure.6 Survival rates of large larvae of Tenebrio molitor (F6) (<100 mg) at 25°C and different relative humidity,%
Similar indicators were observed in pupae (Fig. 7) and adults (Fig. 8) Tenebrio molitor.

Figure.7 Tenebrio molitor (F6) pupae survival rates at 25°C temperature and different relative humidity,%

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Figure.8 Tenebrio molitor (F6) adults' survival rates at 25°C and various relative humidity,%

Figure.9 The survival rates of young larvae of Tenebrio molitor (F6) (<30 mg) at 35°C and different relative
humidity,%

Figure.10 Survival rates of large larvae of Tenebrio molitor (F6) (<100 mg) at 35°C and different relative humidity,%

Figure.11 Tenebrio molitor (F6) pupae survival rates at 35°C temperature and different relative humidity,%

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Figure.12 Tenebrio molitor (F6) adults' survival rates at 35°C and various relative humidity,%

Figure.13 Survival rates of young larvae (<30 mg) of Tenebrio molitor (F6) at 40°C and different relative humidity,%

Figure.14 Survival rates of large larvae (<100 mg) of Tenebrio molitor (F6) at 40°C and different relative humidity,%

Figure.15 Survival rates of Tenebrio molitor (F6) pupae at 40°C temperature and various relative humidity,%

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Figure.16 Survival rates of Tenebrio molitor (F6) adults at 40°C and various relative humidity,%

It is known that the use of specified The minimum relative humidity of beetles is
technological parameters when growing edible 12% (Punzo, 1975; Punzo and Mutchmor,
insects under controlled conditions leads to 1980), 20% (Dick, 2008; Hardouin and
economic efficiency. Technological indicators Mahoux, 2003), the optimal 70% (Murray,
widely used in world practice, the specific 1968), 75% (Punzo, 1975; Punzo and
climatic conditions of each region, the Mutchmor, 1980), 90–100% (Hardouin and
specificity of the Tenebrio molitor beetles and, Mahoux, 2003), 98% as maximum relative
of course, the nature of variability depending humidity (Punzo, 1975; Punzo and Muchmore,
on the knowledge and skills of specialists. In 1980).
particular, the minimum and maximum Analyzing scientific sources, one can see that
temperatures for Tenebrio molitor pupae were in all cases there are sharply different
defined as 10°C (Punzo and Mutchmor, 1980), indicators, and these technological indicators
15°C (Kim et al., 2015), 17°C (Koo et al., cannot be realized without research.
2013), 20°C (Martin et al., 1976), given that In our study, the total protein and amino acid
the optimum temperature is about 25-27°C composition of natural F1 variants of the
(Siemianowska et al., 2013), 27-28°C (Kim et Tenebrio molitorL. beetles (Mirzaeva et al,
al., 2015; Koo et al., 2013; Spencer and 2020a), the survival of the F6 generation
Spencer, 2006), 27-33°C (Hardouin and variants in wheat bran and macrophytes
Mahoux, 2003) and a maximum temperature of (Lemna minor and Azollacarolina) based on
30°C (Manoilovich, 1987; Koo et al., 2013), variant F1, we studied such features. as the rate
35°C (Kim et al., 2015; Punzo and Muchmore, of oviposition (Mirzaeva et al, 2020b). The
1980). Also, relative humidity for moderate results of these studies on the survival of
development of larvae is at least 12% (Punzo, Tenebrio molitor larvae, pupae and adults at
1975; Punzo and Mutchmor, 1980), 30% relative humidity depending on temperature
(Fraenkel, 1950), 60-70% as optimal relative make it possible to establish technological
humidity (Spencer and Spencer, 2006), 70% parameters for growing edible insects under
(Hardouin and Mahoux, 2003), 75% (Punzo, controlled conditions. This will allow in the
1975; Punzo and Mutchmor, 1980), a Republic of Uzbekistan to master the
maximum of 98% (Punzo, 1975; Punzo and technology of controlled feeding of insects
Muchmore, 1980). A minimum of 12% for the (Khujamshukurov, 2011), which has not yet
development of pupae depending on relative been put into practice in local conditions.
humidity (Punzo, 1975; Punzo and Mutchmor, This serves as an unconventional source of
1980), the optimal 70% (Murray, 1968) 75% enrichment for the nutritious and uninterrupted
(Punzo, 1975; Punzo and Mutchmor, 1980) and feed supply of livestock, poultry, and fishing in
a maximum of 98 (Punzo, 1975; Punzo and the country (Khujamshukurov et al., 2016).
Muchmore, 1980).
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How to cite this article:

Mirzaeva, D.A., N. A. Khujamshukurov, B. Zokirov, B. O. Soxibov and Kuchkarova, D. Kh.

2020. Influence of Temperature and Humidity on the Development of Tenebrio molitor L.
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 9(05): 3544-3559. doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.905.422

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