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Macronutrient balance dictates lifespan and reproduction in a beetle, Tenebrio molitor.

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A Temperature Gradient Assay to Determine Thermal Preferences of Drosophila Larvae
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Published on: June 25, 2018

Temperature-driven plasticity in nutrient use and preference in an ectotherm.

Myung Suk Rho1, Kwang Pum Lee2

  • 1Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.

Oecologia
|September 22, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Mealworm beetles adjust their diet selection based on temperature. Higher temperatures lead to a preference for carbohydrates, while lower temperatures result in reduced food intake but a continued carbohydrate preference.

Keywords:
DietNutrient selectionProtein:carbohydrate balanceTenebrio molitorWarming

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • Insect Physiology
  • Nutritional Ecology

Background:

  • Environmental temperature significantly impacts ectotherm metabolism and resource utilization efficiency.
  • Understanding how temperature fluctuations influence diet selection in ectotherms is crucial for predicting their ecological responses.
  • Temperature changes can alter nutrient requirements, potentially driving shifts in dietary preferences for macronutrients like protein and carbohydrates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of varying temperatures on the diet selection patterns and nutritional consequences in mealworm beetles (Tenebrio molitor L.).
  • To determine if mealworm beetles adjust their intake of protein and carbohydrate to meet altered metabolic demands across a range of temperatures.
  • To explore the adaptive significance of diet choice in response to thermal stress and varying nutrient availability.

Main Methods:

  • Mealworm beetles were fed diets with different protein:carbohydrate (P:C) ratios (1:5, 1:1, 5:1) or offered a choice between complementary diets (1:5 vs. 5:1).
  • Experiments were conducted at four distinct temperatures: 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, and 35°C.
  • Mortality, body mass, and post-ingestive nutrient use efficiencies were assessed, alongside dietary choices at different temperatures.

Main Results:

  • Mealworm beetles exhibited increased mortality and reduced body mass at higher temperatures (30°C and 35°C).
  • Post-ingestive use efficiencies for both protein and carbohydrate decreased significantly as temperature increased.
  • At 35°C, beetles showed a strong preference for carbohydrate-rich diets, while at 20°C, they consumed less food but still favored carbohydrates.

Conclusions:

  • Temperature significantly influences nutrient use efficiency and diet selection in mealworm beetles.
  • The observed preference for carbohydrates at higher temperatures suggests an adaptive response to meet increased energy demands.
  • These findings highlight the critical role of temperature in shaping foraging behavior and resource allocation in ectotherms.