Effect of food shortage and metal contamination on the mealworm Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

In this study we assessed the metabolic reaction of mealworms to toxic metals Cu and Pb alone or delivered with carrots as an additional source of water and minerals. We compared our results with metabolic reaction of mealworms to food shortage. We recorded the highest morality and mass loss in culture contaminated with Pb (in relation to Cu contamination) proving the greatest impact of this metal on metabolism of mealworms. The great decrease in protein, carbohydrates and lipid content was observed in this variant (mealworms fed with food contaminated with Pb) as well. The slight positive effect of carrot addition was observed for larvae fed with both metals. Starvation had similar but slighter effect as Pb on metabolism as starved larvae were characterised by high, but not the highest decrease of protein, carbohydrates and lipid content. The studies proved that metal contamination could have great impact on metabolism of mealworms which is a key issue when we consider these insects as a source of proteins in place of vertebrates.