Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Elemental Concentration in Mealworm Beetle (Tenebrio molitor L.) During Metamorphosis

  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Mealworm beetles have been used in numerous experiments as bioindicators. The aim of our experiment was to study the elemental composition in three larvae, pupae and first and second generation adult stages during their life cycle. We selected 180 larvae from a genetically similar population and put them in three groups, in two boxes (60 larvae in each box). Larvae were fed with mashed potato made of the same quality and quantity of potato powder. Then, we selected 10 individuals from each stage to the elemental analysis, using the ICP-OES method. The following elements were analysed in the studied stages: Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Sr and Zn. The results of principal component analysis demonstrated that based on elemental composition, different stages were separated with each other, but in the cases of the three larvae stages, high overlap was found. The results of the GLM ANOVA showed significant differences between the different stages of metamorphosis-based elemental composition. Our results show that the calcium and magnesium were found in a relatively high concentration, while the iron and zinc may be essential elements during the metamorphosis. Our results also show that in insect, the concentration of sodium was higher than in the pupa which may cause by hemolymph. We also demonstrated that the metamorphosis has an effect on the concentration of elements. Our study shows that in the different stages of insects, there are significant changes in the elemental composition of different stages of insects during their metamorphosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Andersen AN, Hoffmann BD, Müller WJ, Griffiths AD (2002) Using ants as bioindicators in land management: simplifying assessment of ant community responses. J Appl Ecol 39:8–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Lindqvist L, Block M (1997) Losses of Cd, Hg, and Zn during metamorphosis in the beetle Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). B Environ Contam Tox 58:67–70

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Rocha JRM, Almeida JR, Linus GA, Durval A (2010) Insects as indicators of environmental changing and pollution: a review of appropriate species and their monitoring. HOLOS Environment 10:250–262

    Google Scholar 

  4. Costantino RF, Desharnais RA, Cushing JM, Dennis B (1997) Chaotic dynamics in an insect population. Science 275:389–391

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Castilla AM, Dauwe T, Mora I, Malone J, Guitart R (2010) Nitrates and herbicides cause higher mortality than the traditional organic fertilizers on the Grain Beetle, Tenebrio molitor. B Environ Contam Tox 84:101–105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Frankel G (1951) Effect and distribution of vitamin BT. Arch Biochem Biophys 34:457–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Pedersen SA, Kristiansen E, Andersen RA, Zachariassen KE (2008) Cadmium is deposited in the gut content of larvae of the beetle Tenebrio molitor and involves a Cd-binding protein of the low cysteine type. Comp Biochem Physiol Part C 148:217–222

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Pedersen SA, Kristiansen E, Hansen BH, Andersen RA, Zachariassen KE (2006) Cold hardiness in relation to trace metal stress in the freeze-avoiding beetle Tenebrio molitor. J Insect Physiol 52:846–853

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Sheiman IM, Shkutin MF, Terenina NB, Gustafsson MK (2006) A behavioral study of the beetle Tenebrio molitor infected with cysticercoids of the rat tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta. Naturwissenschaften 93:305–308

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Sheiman IM, Shkutin MF (2003) Effect of weak electromagnetic radiation on learning in the grain beetle Tenebrio monitor. Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova, Russian 53:775–780

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Morales-Ramos JA, Rojas MG, Shapiro-Ilan DI, Tedders WL (2009) Developmental plasticity in Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): analysis of instar variation in number and development time under different diets. J Entomol Sci 45:75–90

    Google Scholar 

  12. Ludvig D, Fiore C (1960) Further studies on the relationship between parental age and the life cycle of the mealworm, Tenebrio molitor. Ann Entomol Soc Am 53:595–600

    Google Scholar 

  13. Delbecque JP, Hirn M, Delachambre J, De Reggi M (1978) Cuticular cycle and molting hormone levels during the metamorphosis of Tenebrio molitor (Insecta Coleoptera). Dev Biol 64:11–30

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Butler JE, Leone CA (1966) Antigenic changes during the life cycle of the beetle, Tenebrio molitor. Comp Biochem Physiol 19:699–711

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Wegerhoff R, Breidback O (1992) Structure and development of the larval central complex in a holometabolous insect, the beetle Tenebrio molitor. Cell Tissue Res 268:341–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Wigglesworth VB (1948) The structure and deposition of the cuticle in the adult mealworm Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera). Quart J Microsc Sci 89:197–217

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Sonleitner FJ, Gutherie J (1991) Factors affecting oviposition rate in the mealworm beetle Tribolium castaneum and the origin of the population regulation mechanism. Res Popul Ecol 33:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Klein M, Purcell AH (1987) Response of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to Spiroplasma citri inoculation. J Invertebr Pathol 50:9–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Genta FA, Dillon RJ, Terra WR, Ferreira C (2006) Potential role for gut microbiota in cell wall digestion and glucoside detoxification in Tenebrio molitor larvae. J Insect Physiol 52:593–601

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Eguchi M, Iwamoto A (1976) Alkaline proteases in the midgut tissue and digestive fluid on the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Insect Biochem 6:491–496

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Birk Y, Harpaz I, Ishaaya I, Bondi A (1962) Studies ont he proteolytic activity of the beetles Tenebrio and Tribolium. J Insect Physiol 8:417–429

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Jones CR (1964) Changes in the activity of respiratory enzymes in various organs during the metamorphosis of the mealworm, Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus. J Cell Compar Physl 63:65–69

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Braun M, Simon E, Fábián I, Tóthmérész B (2009) The effects of ethylene glycol and ethanol on the body mass and elemental composition of insects collected with pitfall traps. Chemosphere 77:1447–1452

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Braun M, Simon E, Fábián I, Tóthmérész B (2012) Elemental analysis of pitfall-trapped insect samples: effects of ethylene glycol grades. Entomol Exp Appl 143:89–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Zar JH (1996) Biostatistical analysis. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs

    Google Scholar 

  26. McFarlane JE (1991) Dietary sodium, potassium and calcium requirements of the house cricket, Acheta domesticul (L.). Comp Biochem Physiol 100:217–220

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Chapman RF (1998) The insects: structure and function. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  28. Lang CA (1963) The accumulation of zinc by the mosquito. J Gen Physiol 46:617–627

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Zhuang P, Zou H, Shu W (2009) Biotransfer of heavy metals along a soil-plant-insect-chicken food chain: field study. J Environ Sci 21:849–853

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Nummelin M, Lodenius M, Tulisalo E, Hirvonen H, Alanko T (2007) Predatory insects as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution. Environ Pollut 145:339–347

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Ernst WHO (1992) Nutritional aspects in the development of Bruchidius sahlbergi (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in seeds of Acacia erioloba. J Insect Physiol 38:813–838

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The work is supported by the TÁMOP 4.2.1./B-09/1/KONV-2010-0007 and TÁMOP-4.2.2.A-11/1/KONV project. These projects are implemented through the New Hungary Development Plan, co-financed by the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, P.O. Box 71, 4010, Hungary

    Edina Simon & Béla Tóthmérész

  2. Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, P.O. Box 21, 4010, Hungary

    Edina Baranyai, Mihály Braun & István Fábián

Authors
  1. Edina Simon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Edina Baranyai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mihály Braun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. István Fábián
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Béla Tóthmérész
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Edina Simon.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Simon, E., Baranyai, E., Braun, M. et al. Elemental Concentration in Mealworm Beetle (Tenebrio molitor L.) During Metamorphosis. Biol Trace Elem Res 154, 81–87 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-013-9700-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-013-9700-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation