[Objective] The study was to explore whether antimicrobial activity of the antimicrobial peptides extracted from immunized Tenebrio molitor varied with different pathogens as inducers.[Method]By inducing T.molitor hun...[Objective] The study was to explore whether antimicrobial activity of the antimicrobial peptides extracted from immunized Tenebrio molitor varied with different pathogens as inducers.[Method]By inducing T.molitor hungry larvaes to generate immune response via feeding with bacteria and with fungi or actinomycete post to pricking,the antimicrobial peptides extracts were obtained by grinding and centrifuging the cultures.Its antimicrobial activity against 26 pathogens was measured by bacteriostatic ring,and evaluated by trisection to four types and inhibitory spectrum.[Result]Both the antimicrobial activity and antimicrobial spectrum of the antimicrobial peptides extracts varied remarkably among different pathogens as inducers.[Conclusion]Bio-control used strains have obvious advantage in inducing the insect to express body fluid immunity material-antimicrobial peptides.展开更多
[Objective] The study aimed at reducing the economic cost in feeding Tenebrio molitor and improving the utilization ratio of corn stalks.[Method] The effects of different proportions of corn stalks on the weigh of Ten...[Objective] The study aimed at reducing the economic cost in feeding Tenebrio molitor and improving the utilization ratio of corn stalks.[Method] The effects of different proportions of corn stalks on the weigh of Tenebrio molitor and the contents of crude protein,crude fat,Ca,P,dry matter and crude ash in the half-dry matter of Tenebrio molitor had been studied in the laboratory.[Result] Compared with the recipes of all wheat bran and pure fine fodder,feeding Tenebrio molitor by applying 30%-60% of corn stalks could significantly improve the content of crude protein in the half-dry materials of Tenebrio molitor,but it was detrimental to the improvement in weight of Tenebrio molitor and the accumulation of crude fat.To be specific,the recipe V（50% of corn stalks ＋ 50% of fine fodder） was beneficial to the accumulation of dry matter and crude ash.The recipe VII（70% of corn stalks ＋ 30% of fine fodder） and the recipe VIII（70% of corn stalks treated with Guangda feed leaven ＋ 30% of fine fodder） were beneficial to the accumulation of crude protein,Ca and P.There were differences among the influences of corn stalks in different treatments on the crude protein and other nutrition indicators of Tenebrio molitor.[Conclusion] Appropriately applying corn stalks can improve the accumulation of the crude protein,crude ash,dry matter,Ca and P of Tenebrio molitor but was detrimental to the growth and development of Tenebrio molitor and the accumulation of crude fat.展开更多
Background:Aquaculture must continue to reduce dependence on fishmeal(FM)and fishoil in feeds to ensure sustainable sector growth.Therefore,the use of novel aquaculture feed ingredients is growing.In this regard,insec...Background:Aquaculture must continue to reduce dependence on fishmeal(FM)and fishoil in feeds to ensure sustainable sector growth.Therefore,the use of novel aquaculture feed ingredients is growing.In this regard,insects can represent a new world of sustainable and protein-rich ingredients for farmed fish feeds.Accordingly,we investigated the effects of full replacement of FM with Tenebrio molitor(TM)larvae meal in the diet of rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss)on fish gut and skin microbiota.Methods:A feeding trial was conducted with 126 trout of about 80 g mean initial weight that were fed for 22 weeks with two isonitrogenous,isolipidic,and isoenergetic extruded experimental diets.Partially defatted TM meal was included in one of the diets to replace 100%(TM 100)of FM,whereas the other diet(TM 0)was without TM.To analyse the microbial communities,the Illumina MiSeq platform for sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and Qiime pipeline were used to identify bacteria in the gut and skin mucosa,and in the diets.Results:The data showed no major effects of full FM substitution with TM meal on bacterial species richness and diversity in both,gut mucosa-and skin mucus-associated microbiome.Skin microbiome was dominated by phylum Proteobacteria and especially by Gammaproteobacteria class that constituted approximately half of the bacterial taxa found.The two dietary fish groups did not display distinctive features,except for a decrease in the relative abundance of Deefgea genus(family Neisseriaceae)in trout fed with insect meal.The metagenomic analysis of the gut mucosa indicated that Tenericutes was the most abundant phylum,regardless of the diet.Specifically,within this phylum,the Mollicutes,mainly represented by Mycoplasmataceae family,were the dominant class.However,we observed only a weak dietary modulation of intestinal bacterial communities.The only changes due to full FM replacement with TM meal were a decreased number of Proteobacteria and a reduced number of taxa assigned to Ruminococcaceae and Neisseriaceae families.Conclusions:The data demonstrated that TM larvae meal is a valid alternative animal protein to replace FM in the aquafeeds.Only slight gut and skin microbiota changes occurred in rainbow trout after total FM replacement with insect meal.The mapping of the trout skin microbiota represents a novel contribution of the present study.Indeed,in contrast to the increasing knowledge on gut microbiota,the skin microbiota of major farmed fish species remains largely unmapped but it deserves thorough consideration.展开更多
In order to reduce the economic costs for breeding Tenebrio molitor L. and increase the utilization rate of corn stalk, with corn, wheat bran and corn stalk as the raw materials, 13 different compound feed were design...In order to reduce the economic costs for breeding Tenebrio molitor L. and increase the utilization rate of corn stalk, with corn, wheat bran and corn stalk as the raw materials, 13 different compound feed were designed by Minitab （R） 15.1.0.0. The design was then divided into two groups based on addition or without addition of vegetable leaves to study the effects of compound feed and vegetable leaves on growth and de- velopment of T. molitor. The results showed that body weight, duration, crude protein content and pupation rate of larvae and emergence rate of adults were significantly affected by compound feed and vegetable leaves （ P 〈 0.05）. The larvae bred with feed 5 had the largest body weight, with the shortest duration; the larvae bred with feed 3 had the highest pupation rate; the larvae bred with feed 7 had the highest crude protein content; the adult bred with feed 9 had the largest emergence rate. Overall breeding effect of feed 7 ＋ vegetable leaves was better than any other groups, with ideal indicators, higher utilization rate and lower breeding cost. Its formula was w （wheat bran） = 33.33%, w （corn） = 33.33%, w （corn stalks） = 33.33%. Therefore, the growth of T. molitorwas significantly affected by feed types, and feed 7 ＋ vegetable leaves could be promoted in the production.展开更多
Males and females often differ in their susceptibility and exposure to infection. Thus, they may also differ in their ability to avoid infection. The beetle, Tenebrio molitor, risks infection with cysticercoids when i...Males and females often differ in their susceptibility and exposure to infection. Thus, they may also differ in their ability to avoid infection. The beetle, Tenebrio molitor, risks infection with cysticercoids when ingesting rat feces containing eggs of the tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta. Previous studies demonstrated that beetles sometimes prefer infective feces suggesting that the tapeworm influences the foraging behavior of beetles. After recording beetle movement in an arena containing infective and uninfective feces for one hour, sex main effects were not significant, but the effect of sex asked in trials was significant for males. Specifically, more male beetles occurred on the uninfective bait than on the infective bait. This observation suggests that male beetles avoid infective feces, which decreases their probability of infection with H. diminuta. If the cost of infection is higher in males, then selection to avoid infective feces may act more strongly on males.展开更多
The role of insects in animal nutrition has been reconsidered during recent years,paving the way for an increasing market for edible insects.Their protein and amino acid balance make them a promising source of protein...The role of insects in animal nutrition has been reconsidered during recent years,paving the way for an increasing market for edible insects.Their protein and amino acid balance make them a promising source of protein for replacing high value proteins.Yellow mealworm,Tenebrio molitor L.(TM;Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae)larvae,have shown positive effects on broiler performance in several research studies and have a strong potential as a sustainable alternative protein source for monogastric animals.This study aimed to assess the effect of replacing various ratios of basal diets with T.molitor larvae on broiler performance as well as on several meat and welfare characteristics.For the study,120 one-day-old male chicks(Ross 308)were randomly allocated in 3 treatments and 4 replications(10 birds per pen).Birds of the control group(basal diet)were fed with typical commercial maize and soymeal-based rations in mash form.The other 2 groups were treated with the same diet,after replacing 5%and 10%with dried TM larvae,respectively.On d 35(end of trial),meat samples were collected and analysed.Body weight,feed intake,body weight gain and feed conversion ratio during the periods of 1 to 10 d(starter period),11 to 24 d(grower period),25 to 35 d(finisher period)and 1 to 35 d(total period)were assessed.Podo-dermatitis,diarrhoea,feather score and litter conditions were also assessed during the trial.The results indicated that TM larvae inclusion in the broilers'diet positively affected body weight gain values,as well as the carcass yield,the meat composition and various welfare traits.Additionally,the dietary treatments with TM larvae favourably affected meat composition and colour parameters,whereas there were also some positive effects on lipid and protein oxidation.Saturated fatty acids were decreased by the dietary supplementation whereas the polyunsaturated fatty acids to SFA ratio increased.In general,the study showed that whole TM larvae addition can provide a promising alternative to soybean meal in the diet of broilers,demonstrating a positive impact on growth,welfare and meat characteristics.展开更多
Encapsulation is a nonspecific, cellular response through which insects defend themselves against multicellular pathogens. During this immune reaction, haemocytes recognize an object as foreign and cause other haemocy...Encapsulation is a nonspecific, cellular response through which insects defend themselves against multicellular pathogens. During this immune reaction, haemocytes recognize an object as foreign and cause other haemocytes to aggregate and form a capsule around the object, often consisting of melanized cells. The process of melanisation is accompanied by the forma- tion of potentially toxic reactive oxygen species, which can kill not only pathogens but also host cells. In this study we tested whether the encapsulation response is costly in mealworm beetles Tenebrio molitor. We found a negative relationship between the duration of implantation via a nylon monofilament and remaining life span. We also found a negative relationship between the strength of immune response and remaining life span, suggesting that cellular immunity is costly in T. molitor, and that there is a trade-off between immune response and remaining life span. However, this relationship disappeared at 31-32 hours of implanta- tion at 25 ± 2℃. As the disappearance of a relationship between duration of implantation and lifespan coincided with the highest values of encapsulation response, we concluded that the beetles stopped investment in the production of melanotic cells, as the implant, a synthetic parasite, was fully isolated from the host＇s tissues .展开更多
Partial cDNA sequences coding for antifreeze proteins in Tenebrio molitor were obtained by RT-PCR.Sequence analysis revealed nine putative cDNAs with a high degree of homology to Tenebrio molitor antifreeze protein ge...Partial cDNA sequences coding for antifreeze proteins in Tenebrio molitor were obtained by RT-PCR.Sequence analysis revealed nine putative cDNAs with a high degree of homology to Tenebrio molitor antifreeze protein genes published in GenBank.The recombinant pGEX-4T-1-tmafp-XJ430 was introduced into E.coli BL21 to induce a GST fusion protein by IPTG.SDS-PAGE analysis for the fusion protein shows a band of 38 kDa.pCDNA3-tmafp-XJ430 was injected into mice to generate antiserum which was later detected by indirect ELISA.The titer of the antibody was 1:2000.Western blotting analysis shows that the antiserum was specifically against the antifreeze protein.Our results laid the foundation for further studies on the properties and functions of insect antifreeze proteins.展开更多
Background The provision of environmental enrichments to Muscovy ducks could reduce the expression of the aggressive behaviors.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of black soldier fly(BSF)and yell...Background The provision of environmental enrichments to Muscovy ducks could reduce the expression of the aggressive behaviors.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of black soldier fly(BSF)and yellow mealworm(YM)live larva provision on Muscovy duck performance,excreta corticosterone metabolites(ECM),behavior,and blood parameters.Methods A total of 1263-day-old female Muscovy ducklings were allotted to 18 pens(6 replicates/treatment,7 birds/pen)and assigned to 3 experimental treatments:a control group fed commercial feed,and two experimental treatments fed commercial feed plus the 5%(based on the expected daily feed intake,as fed basis)of BSF and YM live larvae(BSF and YM groups,respectively).A two-phase feeding program was applied:starter(from 3 to 31 days of age)and grower-finisher(from 32 to 55 days of age).The live weight,average daily gain,average daily feed intake,and feed conversion ratio were calculated.Larva consumption times were collected,and video recordings were performed during 3 periods(P)each day:the hour before(P1),during(P2),and after(P3)the larva administration.ECM were evaluated at 3,31,and 55-day-old.Finally,the total red and white blood cell counts,serum proteins,lipids,and liver and renal function serum enzymes were evaluated on 12 birds/treatment.Results The experimental treatment did not affect the growth performance of the birds(P>0.05).Larva consumption times were always similar between the two insect species,except at 14–18 days of age,were BSF larvae were consumed faster than YM larvae(P<0.001).The birds showed less walking activity during P2,and preening behavior increased in YM birds during P3.The C birds increased the attack behavior over the weeks(P<0.05).During weeks 1–3 the YM group reduced the attack frequency(P1>P3;P<0.05).Finally,the provision of live BSF and YM larvae significantly reduced the ECM at 55 days of age and the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio(P<0.05).Conclusions Live BSF and YM larva supplementation in Muscovy duck improves duck welfare,without impairing birds'growth performance.展开更多
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(C200700450)~~
文摘[Objective] The study was to explore whether antimicrobial activity of the antimicrobial peptides extracted from immunized Tenebrio molitor varied with different pathogens as inducers.[Method]By inducing T.molitor hungry larvaes to generate immune response via feeding with bacteria and with fungi or actinomycete post to pricking,the antimicrobial peptides extracts were obtained by grinding and centrifuging the cultures.Its antimicrobial activity against 26 pathogens was measured by bacteriostatic ring,and evaluated by trisection to four types and inhibitory spectrum.[Result]Both the antimicrobial activity and antimicrobial spectrum of the antimicrobial peptides extracts varied remarkably among different pathogens as inducers.[Conclusion]Bio-control used strains have obvious advantage in inducing the insect to express body fluid immunity material-antimicrobial peptides.
基金Supported by National Special Fund for Scientific Research in Public Welfare Trade(Agriculture)(200803033-B0602-01)Project of Hebei Province Scientific and Technological Department(10221019)+1 种基金Project of Qinghuangdao City Science and Technology Burea of Hebei Province(201001A152)Foundation of Education Committee of Hebei Province(2003308)~~
文摘[Objective] The study aimed at reducing the economic cost in feeding Tenebrio molitor and improving the utilization ratio of corn stalks.[Method] The effects of different proportions of corn stalks on the weigh of Tenebrio molitor and the contents of crude protein,crude fat,Ca,P,dry matter and crude ash in the half-dry matter of Tenebrio molitor had been studied in the laboratory.[Result] Compared with the recipes of all wheat bran and pure fine fodder,feeding Tenebrio molitor by applying 30%-60% of corn stalks could significantly improve the content of crude protein in the half-dry materials of Tenebrio molitor,but it was detrimental to the improvement in weight of Tenebrio molitor and the accumulation of crude fat.To be specific,the recipe V（50% of corn stalks ＋ 50% of fine fodder） was beneficial to the accumulation of dry matter and crude ash.The recipe VII（70% of corn stalks ＋ 30% of fine fodder） and the recipe VIII（70% of corn stalks treated with Guangda feed leaven ＋ 30% of fine fodder） were beneficial to the accumulation of crude protein,Ca and P.There were differences among the influences of corn stalks in different treatments on the crude protein and other nutrition indicators of Tenebrio molitor.[Conclusion] Appropriately applying corn stalks can improve the accumulation of the crude protein,crude ash,dry matter,Ca and P of Tenebrio molitor but was detrimental to the growth and development of Tenebrio molitor and the accumulation of crude fat.
基金This research was partially funded by AGER,Network Foundation,Project Fine Feed for Fish(4F)Rif.No.2016-01-01This work was also co-funded by the EU Horizon 2020 AquaIMPACT(Genomic and nutritional innovations for genetically superior farmed fish to improve efficiency in European aquaculture),number:818367.
文摘Background:Aquaculture must continue to reduce dependence on fishmeal(FM)and fishoil in feeds to ensure sustainable sector growth.Therefore,the use of novel aquaculture feed ingredients is growing.In this regard,insects can represent a new world of sustainable and protein-rich ingredients for farmed fish feeds.Accordingly,we investigated the effects of full replacement of FM with Tenebrio molitor(TM)larvae meal in the diet of rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss)on fish gut and skin microbiota.Methods:A feeding trial was conducted with 126 trout of about 80 g mean initial weight that were fed for 22 weeks with two isonitrogenous,isolipidic,and isoenergetic extruded experimental diets.Partially defatted TM meal was included in one of the diets to replace 100%(TM 100)of FM,whereas the other diet(TM 0)was without TM.To analyse the microbial communities,the Illumina MiSeq platform for sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and Qiime pipeline were used to identify bacteria in the gut and skin mucosa,and in the diets.Results:The data showed no major effects of full FM substitution with TM meal on bacterial species richness and diversity in both,gut mucosa-and skin mucus-associated microbiome.Skin microbiome was dominated by phylum Proteobacteria and especially by Gammaproteobacteria class that constituted approximately half of the bacterial taxa found.The two dietary fish groups did not display distinctive features,except for a decrease in the relative abundance of Deefgea genus(family Neisseriaceae)in trout fed with insect meal.The metagenomic analysis of the gut mucosa indicated that Tenericutes was the most abundant phylum,regardless of the diet.Specifically,within this phylum,the Mollicutes,mainly represented by Mycoplasmataceae family,were the dominant class.However,we observed only a weak dietary modulation of intestinal bacterial communities.The only changes due to full FM replacement with TM meal were a decreased number of Proteobacteria and a reduced number of taxa assigned to Ruminococcaceae and Neisseriaceae families.Conclusions:The data demonstrated that TM larvae meal is a valid alternative animal protein to replace FM in the aquafeeds.Only slight gut and skin microbiota changes occurred in rainbow trout after total FM replacement with insect meal.The mapping of the trout skin microbiota represents a novel contribution of the present study.Indeed,in contrast to the increasing knowledge on gut microbiota,the skin microbiota of major farmed fish species remains largely unmapped but it deserves thorough consideration.
基金Supported by Agricultural Research Project of Shaanxi Provincial Science and Technology Department(2012.k02-10)Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Project of University Students in Shaanxi Province(1252)Special Funds of Ecology for Construction of High-level University in Shaanxi Province(2012SXTS03)
文摘In order to reduce the economic costs for breeding Tenebrio molitor L. and increase the utilization rate of corn stalk, with corn, wheat bran and corn stalk as the raw materials, 13 different compound feed were designed by Minitab （R） 15.1.0.0. The design was then divided into two groups based on addition or without addition of vegetable leaves to study the effects of compound feed and vegetable leaves on growth and de- velopment of T. molitor. The results showed that body weight, duration, crude protein content and pupation rate of larvae and emergence rate of adults were significantly affected by compound feed and vegetable leaves （ P 〈 0.05）. The larvae bred with feed 5 had the largest body weight, with the shortest duration; the larvae bred with feed 3 had the highest pupation rate; the larvae bred with feed 7 had the highest crude protein content; the adult bred with feed 9 had the largest emergence rate. Overall breeding effect of feed 7 ＋ vegetable leaves was better than any other groups, with ideal indicators, higher utilization rate and lower breeding cost. Its formula was w （wheat bran） = 33.33%, w （corn） = 33.33%, w （corn stalks） = 33.33%. Therefore, the growth of T. molitorwas significantly affected by feed types, and feed 7 ＋ vegetable leaves could be promoted in the production.
文摘Males and females often differ in their susceptibility and exposure to infection. Thus, they may also differ in their ability to avoid infection. The beetle, Tenebrio molitor, risks infection with cysticercoids when ingesting rat feces containing eggs of the tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta. Previous studies demonstrated that beetles sometimes prefer infective feces suggesting that the tapeworm influences the foraging behavior of beetles. After recording beetle movement in an arena containing infective and uninfective feces for one hour, sex main effects were not significant, but the effect of sex asked in trials was significant for males. Specifically, more male beetles occurred on the uninfective bait than on the infective bait. This observation suggests that male beetles avoid infective feces, which decreases their probability of infection with H. diminuta. If the cost of infection is higher in males, then selection to avoid infective feces may act more strongly on males.
基金co-financed by Greece and the European Union(European Regional Development Fund)in context“ResearcheCreateeInnovate”within the Operational Program(Competitiveness,Entrepreneurship and Innovation(ЕPАNЕΚ)of the NSRF 2014e2020,Project Code:Τ2ЕDΚ-02356).Acronym:InsectFeedAroma.
文摘The role of insects in animal nutrition has been reconsidered during recent years,paving the way for an increasing market for edible insects.Their protein and amino acid balance make them a promising source of protein for replacing high value proteins.Yellow mealworm,Tenebrio molitor L.(TM;Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae)larvae,have shown positive effects on broiler performance in several research studies and have a strong potential as a sustainable alternative protein source for monogastric animals.This study aimed to assess the effect of replacing various ratios of basal diets with T.molitor larvae on broiler performance as well as on several meat and welfare characteristics.For the study,120 one-day-old male chicks(Ross 308)were randomly allocated in 3 treatments and 4 replications(10 birds per pen).Birds of the control group(basal diet)were fed with typical commercial maize and soymeal-based rations in mash form.The other 2 groups were treated with the same diet,after replacing 5%and 10%with dried TM larvae,respectively.On d 35(end of trial),meat samples were collected and analysed.Body weight,feed intake,body weight gain and feed conversion ratio during the periods of 1 to 10 d(starter period),11 to 24 d(grower period),25 to 35 d(finisher period)and 1 to 35 d(total period)were assessed.Podo-dermatitis,diarrhoea,feather score and litter conditions were also assessed during the trial.The results indicated that TM larvae inclusion in the broilers'diet positively affected body weight gain values,as well as the carcass yield,the meat composition and various welfare traits.Additionally,the dietary treatments with TM larvae favourably affected meat composition and colour parameters,whereas there were also some positive effects on lipid and protein oxidation.Saturated fatty acids were decreased by the dietary supplementation whereas the polyunsaturated fatty acids to SFA ratio increased.In general,the study showed that whole TM larvae addition can provide a promising alternative to soybean meal in the diet of broilers,demonstrating a positive impact on growth,welfare and meat characteristics.
文摘Encapsulation is a nonspecific, cellular response through which insects defend themselves against multicellular pathogens. During this immune reaction, haemocytes recognize an object as foreign and cause other haemocytes to aggregate and form a capsule around the object, often consisting of melanized cells. The process of melanisation is accompanied by the forma- tion of potentially toxic reactive oxygen species, which can kill not only pathogens but also host cells. In this study we tested whether the encapsulation response is costly in mealworm beetles Tenebrio molitor. We found a negative relationship between the duration of implantation via a nylon monofilament and remaining life span. We also found a negative relationship between the strength of immune response and remaining life span, suggesting that cellular immunity is costly in T. molitor, and that there is a trade-off between immune response and remaining life span. However, this relationship disappeared at 31-32 hours of implanta- tion at 25 ± 2℃. As the disappearance of a relationship between duration of implantation and lifespan coincided with the highest values of encapsulation response, we concluded that the beetles stopped investment in the production of melanotic cells, as the implant, a synthetic parasite, was fully isolated from the host＇s tissues .
文摘Partial cDNA sequences coding for antifreeze proteins in Tenebrio molitor were obtained by RT-PCR.Sequence analysis revealed nine putative cDNAs with a high degree of homology to Tenebrio molitor antifreeze protein genes published in GenBank.The recombinant pGEX-4T-1-tmafp-XJ430 was introduced into E.coli BL21 to induce a GST fusion protein by IPTG.SDS-PAGE analysis for the fusion protein shows a band of 38 kDa.pCDNA3-tmafp-XJ430 was injected into mice to generate antiserum which was later detected by indirect ELISA.The titer of the antibody was 1:2000.Western blotting analysis shows that the antiserum was specifically against the antifreeze protein.Our results laid the foundation for further studies on the properties and functions of insect antifreeze proteins.
基金supported by the PRIMA programme under grant agreement No 2015,project SUSTAvian FEEDsupported by the European Unionthe visit by Achille Schiavone(22216/IV/23-Poultry MED project)funded by the Fundación Séneca-Agencia de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Región de Murcia in connection with the“Jiménez De La Espada”Regional Programme for Mobility,Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange。
文摘Background The provision of environmental enrichments to Muscovy ducks could reduce the expression of the aggressive behaviors.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of black soldier fly(BSF)and yellow mealworm(YM)live larva provision on Muscovy duck performance,excreta corticosterone metabolites(ECM),behavior,and blood parameters.Methods A total of 1263-day-old female Muscovy ducklings were allotted to 18 pens(6 replicates/treatment,7 birds/pen)and assigned to 3 experimental treatments:a control group fed commercial feed,and two experimental treatments fed commercial feed plus the 5%(based on the expected daily feed intake,as fed basis)of BSF and YM live larvae(BSF and YM groups,respectively).A two-phase feeding program was applied:starter(from 3 to 31 days of age)and grower-finisher(from 32 to 55 days of age).The live weight,average daily gain,average daily feed intake,and feed conversion ratio were calculated.Larva consumption times were collected,and video recordings were performed during 3 periods(P)each day:the hour before(P1),during(P2),and after(P3)the larva administration.ECM were evaluated at 3,31,and 55-day-old.Finally,the total red and white blood cell counts,serum proteins,lipids,and liver and renal function serum enzymes were evaluated on 12 birds/treatment.Results The experimental treatment did not affect the growth performance of the birds(P>0.05).Larva consumption times were always similar between the two insect species,except at 14–18 days of age,were BSF larvae were consumed faster than YM larvae(P<0.001).The birds showed less walking activity during P2,and preening behavior increased in YM birds during P3.The C birds increased the attack behavior over the weeks(P<0.05).During weeks 1–3 the YM group reduced the attack frequency(P1>P3;P<0.05).Finally,the provision of live BSF and YM larvae significantly reduced the ECM at 55 days of age and the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio(P<0.05).Conclusions Live BSF and YM larva supplementation in Muscovy duck improves duck welfare,without impairing birds'growth performance.
