PHOSPHORUS IN THE NUTRITION OF TRIBOLIUM CONFUSUM DUVAL

Abstract

A synthetic diet has been devised for a study of the effects of 13 different levels of phosphorus on the larval growth of Tribolium confusum Duval. This insect appears to be insensitive to phosphorus changes in the diet over a wide range, optimum level varying from 0.125% to 0.475%. The effects of phosphorus deficiency are evident at a phosphorus level as low as 0.075% while toxic effects are observed at 3.075% level. No significant difference has been observed between the phosphorus requirements of both sexes. The imaginal emergence was normal on all the diets containing different phosphorus levels.