• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.44 no.3 s.140
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• pp.189-197
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• 2005

Cellulose-digesting bacteria were isolated from hindgut of Allomyrina dichotoma (Coleoptera: Dynastidae). The bacterial isolates were identified as Yersinia sp. and Bacillus sp. The addition of the identified bacteria to diet increased growth rate of the cetoniid beetle, Protaetia brevitarsis senlensis (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae), probably by digesting cellulose nutrient contained in the oak tree sawdust diet. An additive of wheat flour at more than 10% to the sawdust diet significantly enhanced growth of P. brevitarsis senlensis. Trimmed branches of apple trees have been disposed in the apple farms and could be used for a diet component of the cetoniid beetle when the cellulose-digesting bacteria were mixed with the derived-sawdust. Resulting manure from mass rearing of P. brevitarsis senlensis contained high organic matters and trace amounts of toxic metals. When the manure were splayed on soil, it was effective as a natural compost and significantly stimulated lettuce growth. This research suggests a model technology to use cellulose-digesting bacteria to use for culturing grub, which results in natural recycles of trimmed branches in apple farms as grub diet, and to use grub manure as a natural compost.