E-CO-PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON SOME DESERT BEETLES (Family: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

Individuals of Blaps polychresta, Trachyderma phi/istina and Pimelia sericea were collected from the field and reared on Lactuca sp., Morus abuginia and Cynanchum acutum in the laboratory for two weeks to determine \'thich of these three types of leaves is the most palatable food for each beetle species. The feeding was carried out in plastic plate containing squares leaves of various plant species. Food consumption was estimated using Blower's method (1974). All beetle species consumed large amount of Lactuca sp. leaves, an indication that it is the most palatable food. The result indicated that:

I) Lactuca leaves had the lowest C/N ratio and the highest nitrogen content, when compared to Morus, and Cynanchum leaves.