Assessing Tribolium confusum infestation in animal feed containing edible insect meal

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Abstract: Edible insects have become a decent candidate as a protein component in the feed
industry. Numerous species have status as a feed, but according to EU legislation: Tenebrio
molitor, Locusta migratoria, Acheta domesticus, Hermetia illucens and Alphitobius diaperinus have permission to be included in the feed mixtures. During the storing process, complete feed mixtures with addition of the insect meals as a protein component are and will be contaminated by numerous stored products pests. This work evaluated the possible Tribolium confusum infestation of chicken feed where T. molitor meals ranging from 5 to 15 % were added as a base protein source. Population parameters were monitored as: number of live, dead adults, number of larvae, mass of larva and number of pupae. The number of alive adults ranged from 32.50 to 43.50, with no significant differences between groups. Dead adult counts varied from 7.75 to 23.50, also without statistical significance. Larvae numbers showed significant differences, with the control group having the fewest larvae (60.75) and the 12.5 % T. molitor group having the most (364.25). Total larval mass varied significantly, while pupae numbers showed no significant differences across groups.

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