Avaliação da produção de tenébrio do amendoim (Ulomoides dermestoides) com enfoque na alimentação de aves

Abstract

The introduction of insects into poultry diets is an option that offers economic, sustainable and welfare benefits, while also providing a more efficient conversion of feed into protein. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of peanut mealworm larvae to be used in poultry feeding. The experiment was conducted in the Biotechnology and Biodiversity Nucleus of the Agricultural Sciences Center of the State University of Piauí CCA/UESPI. The insects used belong to the Tenebrionidae family and were identified as Ulomoides dermestoides. The experiment followed a completely randomized design, using larval groups at different population densities composed of 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 breeding pairs, each with four replications. Data was collected weekly and recorded in an Excel spreadsheet for each treatment and variable studied, from the emergence of the larvae until they reached the adult stage and feeding time (day and night). The populations of larvae, pupae and adults were compared by the Scott Knott test at the 5% probability level, using the version 5.0 of the SISVAR software. The results showed that population density and adult handling have a direct influence on colony productivity, with the groups containing 16 and 20 beetle pairs showing the highest production rates. The peanut mealworm (Ulomoides dermestoides) shows both production and economic viability for the production of larvae.