REPLACEMENT OF RNA IN THE DIET OF ORYZAEPHILUS SURINAMENSIS (L.) (COLEOPTERA: SILVANIDAE) BY PURINES, PYRIMIDINES, AND RIBOSE

Abstract

Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) survived in greater numbers when guanine and cytosine were added to a synthetic diet at a concentration of 0.4 mg/g each than when yeast RNA was included in the diet at 5.0 mg/g. They developed as quickly on this diet as when yeast RNA was added to the basic diet. This insect survived in greater numbers on the basic diet supplemented with D-ribose than on the unsupplemented basic diet and developed at the same rate on both. More adults emerged when D-ribose, guanine, and cytosine were added to the basic diet than when yeast RNA was added. However, fewer larvae pupated when these three substances were present than when only guanine and cytosine were added to the diet. In formulating a chemically defined diet for O. surinamensis, the results of this investigation showed that guanine and cytosine could replace yeast RNA and that D-ribose could be excluded from the diet without adverse effect.