Larval Protein Quality of Six Species of Lepidoptera (Saturniidaeo Sphingidae, Noctuidae) STEPHEN V. LANDRY,I GENE R. DEFOLIART,IANP MILTON L. SUNDE, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 J. Econ. Entomol. 79; 600-604 (I98€) ABSTRACT Six lepidopteran species representing three families were evaluated for their potential use as protein supplements for poultry. Proximate and amino acid analyses were conducted on larval powders of each species. Larvae ranged from 49.4 to 58.1% crude protein on a dry-weight basis. Amino acid analysis indicated deficiencies in arginine, me- thionine, cysteine, and possibly lysine, when larvae are used in chick rations. In a chick- feeding trial with three of the species, however, these deffciencies were not substantiated: the average weight gained by chicks fed the lepidopteran-supplemented dlet did not differ significantly from that of.chicks fed a conventional corn/soybean control diet. LnprpoptBne ARE among the many species of in- by feeding trials on poultry (Ichhponani and Ma- sects that have played an important role in nutri- Iek 1971, Wijayasinghe and Rajaguru 1977). tion, especially in areas where human and domes- To determine and compare the protein quality tic animal populations are subject to chronic protein of a wider assortment of lepidopterous larvae, we deficiency (e.g., Bodenheimer 1951, Quin 1959, conducted proximate and amino acid analyses on Ruddle 1973, Conconi and Bourges 1977, Malaise larvae of six species representing three families. and Parent 1980, Conconi et al. 1984). Conconi et These included the cecropia moth, Hgalophora ce- al. (f9Sa), for example, listed 12 species in 8 fam- cropia (L.), and the promethea moth, Callosamia ilies that are gathered and consumed in Mexico. promethea (Drury), in the family Saturniidae; the Wider utilization of Lepidoptera as domestic ani- tobacco hornworm, Manduca serla (L.), in the mal feedstuffs has probably been precluded by the family Sphingidae; and the fall armyworm, Spo- difficulties inherent in gathering them in sufficient doptera frugiperda (I. E. Smith), southern army- quantities on a regular basis. Pupae of the silk- worm, S. eridania (Cramer), and the armyworm, worm, BombEx mori (L.), however, available as a Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth) in the family byproduct of the silk industry, have been used not Noctuidae. Chick feeding trials were conducted only as human food but as a high-protein supple- with dry powders of the sphingid and saturniid ment for poultry in parts of Asia. Ichhponani and larvae. Although our primary interest was in the Malek (1971) reported the annual production of noctuid species because of their gregarious nature de-oiled silkworm pupae in India alone at 20,000 and potential for opportunistic mass harvest of wild metric tons. populations, we were unable to accumulate enough Proximate analyses (percent protein, moisture, noctuid powder for a feeding trial. fat, ash, crude fiber, and carbohydrate) have been conducted on larvae or pupae of species in a num- ber of families of Lepidoptera (Quin 1959, Con- Materials and Methods 1977, Malaise and Parent 1980, coni and Bourges Souree and Rearing of Experimental Insects Conconi et al. 1984). Crude protein content was found to range from 7.8 to II.8% in samples of Saturniidae. H. cecropia pupae were obtained freshly killed larvae to between 50 and SOVo in from j. M. Scriber (Department of Entomology, larval samples subjected to various degrees of de- University of Wisconson-Madison). Adults hydration. By contrast, amino acid profiles are emerged and mated; eggs were collected and available only for pupae of B. mori (Bombycidae) placed in plastic crispers (30 by 12.7 by 6.4 cm) (Chopra et al. 1970, Wijayasinghe and Rajaguru provided with fresh'Prunus serotina (Ehrhart) 1977) and larvae of Xgleutes redtenbachi (Ham- (black cherry) foliage. A total of 800 g of dried H. merschmidt) (Cossidae), a species utilized as hu- cecropia was produced for a chick feeding trial. man food in Mexico (Conconi and Bourges 1977). C. promethea were also reared on P. serotina f.o- We are not aware of any laboratory studies in- liage. Totally, 350 g of dried C. promethea were volving Lepidoptera fed to rats to determine bio- prepared for a chick feeding trial. availability of amino acids; only in the case of B. Sphingidae. M. sexta larvae were obtained from mori pupae has amino acid analysis been followed the laboratory colony of W. G. Goodman (De- partment of Entomology, University of Wisconsin- of Entomology. Madison). Some of these larvae were reared on 'Dep. (Bio-Serv 'zDep. of Poultry Science. artiftcial diet Tobacco Hornworm diet 600 June 1986 L.lNpnv ET AL.: Nurnl]]loNer- Ver.ur oF LEPIDOPTERA 601 Table l. Proximate analysis of fifih-instar lepidopteran larval powders conpared with conventional protein suP- plements Protein Moisture Fat Ash Crude ffber Carbohy- Calories/ Protein source (%) (v") (%) (%) (%) drates (%) 100 g Fish meal (menhaden) 60.5 8.0 9.4 o.7 282 Soybean meal (dehulled) 48.5 r0.0 1.0 3.9 244 Meat and bone meal 50.4 7.0 8.6 2.8 196 H. cecropia 54.7 2.6 r0.2 * 14.7 t* 358 C. promethea 49.4 4.5 r0.0 6.9 I0.8 r8.4 361 M. sertaa 58. I 4.7 20.7 7.4 9.4 > 0.1 418 M- sextab 57.8 4.7 16.5 8.1 8.4 4.5 398 S. frugiperdaa 57.8 2.t 20.2 ,r 5.6 6.7 7.7 443 S. frugiperdab 57.2 3.6 r1.3 tL.2 t2.o 4.8 349 P. unipuncta 54.4 2.0 t4.s 6.9 5.0 15.7 424 S. erid.ania 54.7 4.5 I3.9 9.8 7.1 10.0 384 a Reared on artiffcial diet. b Reared on fresh plant material. No. 9788); others were rear'ed on Solanum dul- Arnino acid proftles were obtained by acid hy- canlara (L.) (nightshade). drolysis of the powders and subsequent analysis on Noctuidae. S. frugiperde were obtained from an amino acid analyzer (Beckman). John Young (USDA Laboratory, Tifton, Ga.). They were fed a variation of the diet formulated by Shorey and Hale (1965). The colony ot S. eridania Method of Chick Bioassay was obtained from J. M. Scriber and fed the same artificial diet. P. unipuncta adult females were The chemical analysis was followed by a biolog- collected in the field. Eggs were laid, and emerg- ical assay. Three powders, If. cecropia. C. pro- ing individuals were fed artificial diet or Agro- rnethea, and M. sexta, were tested as the protein pAron repens (L.) (quack grass), supplement in a corn-based diet. AII diets were , based on the most recent National Academy of Science-National Research Council (NAS-NRC) Methods of Biochemical Analysis recommendations (National Research Council All insects were harvested in the final instar or 1977). They were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. prepupal stage. They were frozen at -23'C, and There was no information on the vitamin content lyophilized. The coarse-ground larvae were re- of the various powders; thus, all necessary vitamins duced to a powder in a Wiley Mill using a 20- were added as a supplement as prescribed by NAS- mesh screen. Proximate analyses were performed NRC. The availability of the minerals also was using procedures described by the Association of unknown and all required minerals were added. Official Analytical Chemists (Anonymous 1945). This supplementation allowed comparisons of the Table 2. Amino acid profiles of lepidoprerous larvae compared with dietary requirements {or chickens and zMVo soybean meal Amino acid Requirement for: soYbean H. cecro- c. oro- M. M. S. P. uni- S. mg/g ol meal i, frugi Broiler Laying Pn" metnea b sertaa sextab perdaa punctaa eridaniab protein chick hen (44%) Arginine 63 53 75 53 42 53 42 67 54 40 Glycine-serine 65 108 208 184 105 90 100 102 r05 Histidine l5 l5 26 27 29 37 4r 3.8 29 3l Isoleucine 35 54 29 43 37 44 38 45 Leucine 59 80 80 51 44 68 62 77 64 72 Lysine 52 40 67 44 43 7t 81 77 180 74 Methionine 22 t8 l5 't4 l0 18 20 24 23 2t Methionine- cysteine 40 30 22 15 26 26 3l 36 28 Phenylalanine 3l 27 52 43 34 47 42 49 39 4l Phenylalanine- tyrosine 58 53 8r 140 Il4 lt3 93 t28 93 7S Threonine 33 27 4t 4I 39 41 36 5l 46 53 Tryptophan r0714 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Valine 36 33 53 45 41 66 56 52 47 58 NA, not attempted. o Reared on artificial diet. D Reared on fresh plant material. 602 JounNel or EcoNontc ENrotrolocv Vol. 79, no. 3 Table 3. Composition of experimental diets fed to chicks Ingredient Diet I Diet 2 Diet 3 Diet 4 (% of diet) (Control) (H. cecropia) (C. promethea) (M. sexta) Ground corn 55.75 62.95 52.80 64.50 Soybean meal (44Vo) 28.00 Wheai middlings 5.00 Alfalfa rdeal (I7%) 3.00 Meat meal 3.00 Insect meal 30.20 37.20 30.04 Iodized salt 0.50 0.40 0.40 0.40 Dicalcium phosphate o.75 2.57 3. l2 3.00 CaC03 1.00 0.80 0.50 0.60 MnSOa 0.03 0.03 0.03 ZnC03 0.01 0.01 0.01 Fe citrate 0.04 0.04 0.04 Se Premix: (1 mg Se/g NaCl) 0.0r 0.01 0.0I Corn oil 2.40 5.00 1.00 Choline (50%) 1,300 mglkg t,300 mglkg 1,300 mglkg Vitamin mix 3.004 o.50b 0.50 0.50 Vitamin E 20 Iu/kg 20 tU /ke 20 IU /kg Amino acid supplementation (mg/g protein) Arginine 38 58 Isoleucine IO l9 : Leucine 15 Lysine 42 46 46 Methionine 40 60 38 Only half the chicks fed diets 2 and 4 received the amino acid supplementation.