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Some nutritional requirements of the large milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Jacques L. Auclair
Affiliation:
Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3J7
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Abstract

Third- or fourth-stage nymphs of the large milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas) were maintained for 2–5 months on a chemically defined diet. Four or five per cent of either sucrose, glucose or melezitose gave better growth than 11 other sugars tested. The insect required the 10 amino acids usually recognized as essential for growth in other insect species. The dietary concentration of each essential amino acid was varied over a wide range of 6–12 or more times without affecting growth in a significant manner. Growth improved as the total amino acid concentration was increased from 0 to 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.6%, but a further increase to 4.8% did not result in an improved growth. Fifth-stage nymphs maintained on chemical diets moulted to the adult stage and laid eggs for several months; the average number of eggs per female was 62 on the 1.2%, 143 on the 2.4%, 131 on the 3.6%, and 69 on the 4.8% amino acid diets. No eggs were laid on a diet lacking amino acids. Growth and survival of nymphs reared singly on the diet were reduced as compared to that of nymphs reared in small groups. A quarter to half reduction in the concentration of the two major dietary salts, as well as a reduction in the pH from 7.0 to 6.0 or 5.0, or an increase to 8.0 improved growth.

Réumé

Des larves des troisieme et quatrième stades de la punaise de l'asclépiade Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas) ont survécu de 2 à 5 mois sur un régime nutritif de base chimiquement défini. Sur 14 glucides étudiés, la croissance larvaire a été meilleure sur un régime contenant 4–5% de saccharose, glucose ou mélézitose. Dix acides aminés se sont avérés essentiels pour la croissance de O. fasciatus, mais la concentration de chacun de ces composés dans le régime a pu varier de 6 à 12 fois ou plus de celle du régime de base sans affecter la croissance de façon significative. Cependant, la croissance s'est améliorée graduellement avec une augmentation de la teneur totale en acides aminés du regime de 0 à 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 et 3.6%, mais une augmentation subséquente à 4.8% n'a pas résulté en une croissance accrue. Des larves du cinquième stade maintenues sur le régime de base ont donné des adultes qui ont pondu des oeufs durant plusieurs mois; le nombre d'oeufs moyen produit par femelle a été de 62 sur un régime contenant 1.2% d'acides aminés, 143 sur 2.4%, 131 sur 3.6% et 69 sur 4.8% d'acides aminés. En l'absence de ces composés dans le régime alimentaire, la ponte a été nulle. La croissance et la survie des larves maintenues isolées sur le régime de base ont été moindres que celles des larves groupées. Une réduction du quart ou de la moitié dans la concentration des deux sels minéraux majeurs du régime, ainsi qu'une réduction du pH (qui était de 7.0 dans le régime de base) à 6.0 ou 5.0, ou une augmentation à pH 8. ont résulté en une croissance améliorée.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1982

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References

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