Biology of Attagenus fasciatus Thunberg (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) on four different diets of animal origin

Abstract

Biology of dermestid beetle, Attagenus fasciatus was studied on four different diets of animal origin included dried silkworm pupae and moths of Bombyx mori, feathers of white leghorn and on an equal mixture of fur of goat and sheep under laboratory conditions, to know the dietary effect on the developmental process. The mean incubation period was 12-16 days. There were 10-12 larval instars. The life-cycle on four different diets of animal origin varied. On dried silkworm pupae, total larval period ranged from 243 to 298 days and total life-cycle 267-326 days; on dried silk moths, total larval period was 251-307 and total life-cycle 272-330 days; on feathers of white leghorn, total larval period was 264-329 and total life-cycle was 288-355 days, and on an equal mixture of fur of goat and sheep, total larval period was 273-317 and total life-cycle was 297-343 days.