Beyond balance: the impact of adult sex ratios on reproduction and longevity in Zophobas morio rearing.

Abstract

Over the years, the study of adult sex ratio is a topic that has gained attention for its impact on reproductive outcomes and aging across various insect species. However, there is still limited research focused on insects reared for food and feed production. To address this gap, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of different adult sex ratios on the reproductive dynamics and longevity of the superworm, Zophobas morio (F.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), a species with interesting potential as a nutrient source. In this study, we assessed three adult sex ratios, i.e., 5:5, 6:4 and 8:2 (female:male) with mesh used to each setup. An additional 5:5 sex ratio without mesh served as control. On a weekly basis, adult survival, egg production, and egg hatching rates were recorded. Our results revealed statistically significant differences in egg production across the different sex ratios tested, but no statistically significant differences in hatching rates and adult survival. These findings suggest that both balanced and female-biased sex ratios are suitable for Z. morio and that it is important to consider this factor when enhancing efficiency in large-scale insect production.