LIFE HISTORY TRAITS OF DERMESTES MACULATUS DE GEER (COLEOPTERA: DERMESTIDAE) FED ON FRESH WATER AND MARINE DRIED FISH AND ITS MANAGEMENT USING EDIBLE BOTANICALS AND MINERAL POWDER

Abstract

The hide beetle, Dermestes maculatus De Geer, is a significant pest in dried fish storage worldwide. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of different species of dried fish as Ganges river sprat, Gangetic anchovy, Giant sea perch, Bombay duck, Indian oil sardine as foods of D. maculatus on food ability, developing, fecundity, life table parameters and control via edible plant products. The study was conduct of under laboratory conditions at 30±5 ˚C, 80 ±10% R.H. The research investigated diverse aspects of the life cycle and reproductive features of D. maculatus De Geer. The results indicated that the incubation periods of various fish species varied; the Indian oil sardine had the longest observed incubation period (2.62 days), while the Ganges river sprat had the shortest (2.23 days). The larval development periods ranged from 24 to 26.92 days for males and 23.01 to 26.47 days for females. Notably, the Ganges River sprat exhibited the shortest pupal developmental time at 5.61 days, while the Giant Sea Perch presented the longest duration at 6.56 days. Ovipositional periods varied, with Gangetic anchovy (29.87 days) and Indian oil sardine (41.06 days) showing the highest and lowest values, respectively. Furthermore, the study observed variations in egg laying rates and adult longevity across different fish species. Generation time (T) was lowest for Ganges river sprat (51.23 days) while highest for Bombay duck (63.98 days). The net reproductive rate(R0) was highest for Bombay duck (195.13 offspring) but lowest for Ganges river sprat (46.07 offspring). Intrinsic(rm) and finite(λ) rates of natural increase were lowest for Ganges river sprat (0.075 day-1; 1.07 day-1). Population doubling time (DT) was shortest for Indian oil sardine (8.33) while longest for Ganges river sprat (9.27). The gross reproductive rate (GRR) was highest for Bombay duck (213.27) but lowest for Ganges river sprat (69.10). The maximum infestation rate was found in Indian oil sardine (49.67%), while the minimum was found in Giant sea perch (4.53%). Additionally, in a control experiment involving edible botanicals and minerals, Ajwain powder exhibited the highest efficacy in mortality rates for both adult and larval stages of D. maculatus.