Effects of cold exposure on Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupal period, proportion of adult emergence, weight and deformation percentage

Abstract

Low temperatures affect many life history traits of insects. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of duration of cold exposure on the length of Tenebrio molitor’s pupal period, proportion of adult emergence, adult weight and proportion of deformed adults. The trials were conducted in a laboratory in constant conditions with wheat flour and whole-wheat flour meal were used as food. Cold-exposed groups were achieved by exposing pupae taken on the first day after pupation for 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 days at +4 °C. The results showed that as the period of cold increased, pupal period extended and proportion of deformed adults increased whereas there were no or less straightforward effects on adult weights and proportion of emerged adults, respectively