| dc.description.abstract | Yellow mealworm is the larval stage of Tenebrio molitor L. beetle. Nowadays, yellow mealworms are reared because of its economic value. Yellow mealworm can be used for feed and food. The growth of yellow mealworms is influenced by temperature and humidity, so a suitable combination of temperature and humidity is necessary for yellow mealworm optimal production.The research was done from July 1 5u~p t o Oktober lo* 2005 at Non Ruminants and Prospective Animals Division, Departement of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Bogor Agricultural University. The purpose of this research was to compare the yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor L.) growth performances at different temperature and humidity. This research used 1500 yellow mealworms aged 35 days old. The experiment used Completely Randomized Design in 2x2 factorial experiment. The first factor was temperature (29 and 31 OC) and the second factor was humidity (69% and 71%). Each treatment combination had five replicates which consisted 75 yellow mealworms. The observed variables were feed consumption, body lenght and weight gain, feed conversion based on body lenght and weight gain, and mortality. Data were analyzed by using ANOVA and tested with Least Significant Difference Test (SAS 6.12) to know the difference among the treatments. The result showed that the lower temperature (29 OC) with higher humidity (71%) gave the best growth performances for 35-65 days old yellow mealworms. Otherwise, the best growth performances for 65-75 days old yellow mealworms were at higher temperature (3 1 OC) with lower humidity (69%). Keywords : growth performance, Tenebrio molitor L., temperature, humidity | en |
