• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.33-35
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• 2018

In Korea, species of the genus Ptecticus Loew, 1855 (Family Stratiomyidae) have been known as three species, P. aurifer (Walker, 1854), P. matsumurae Lindner, 1936 and P. japonicus (Thunberg, 1789) (= P. tenebrifer (Walker, 1849)). Additionally, an unrecorded species, P. sinchangensis ${\hat{O}}uchi$, 1938, was found in Korea. We therefore report the species for the first time in Korea with morphological diagnosis and key for the identification of the Korean species of the genus. In total, the members of the genus Ptecticus are officially recognized as four species in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.535-542
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• 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary Ptecticus tenebrifer on the fecal microbiomes of bichon frise. A total of 16 bichon frise dogs (average weight, 2 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments (4 dogs/group): general pet food, two types of domestic pet food containing Ptecticus tenebrifer, and one imported pet food containing Ptecticus tenebrifer. In the controls, Firmicutes accounted for the highest proportion (82%) at the phylum level in the fecal microbiomes. The Tax4Fun2's functional prediction program indicated that the control groups showed a relatively high amount of obesity-related microorganisms; the pathways included three types of carbohydrate metabolism. Among the treatments, Firmicutes abundances was the least in the treatments with the two types of domestic pet food containing Ptecticus tenebrifer; this did not affect the functional prediction of Tax4Fun2. In conclusion, the two types of domestic feed with Ptecticus tenebrifer were healthy and suitable for bichon frise; they could be beneficial in terms of obesity.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2019

Ptecticus tenebriferwas incorporated to partially or totally replace the diets of juvenile white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Experimental groups of shrimp with an average initial body weight of $0.014{\pm}0.001g$ were fed each of the 5 diets formulated to include 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% (C, T25, T50, T75, and T100, respectively) of Ptecticus tenebriferpowder substituted for commercial feed. After eight weeks of feeding trials, juvenile shrimp fed with diets T25 and T50 showed higher live weight gain ($2.298{\pm}0.405$ and $2.539{\pm}0.406$, respectively), and a better feed conversion ratio ($1.389{\pm}0.246$ and $1.536{\pm}0.246$, respectively) compared to those of shrimp fed a control diet. Survival rate was 98% in all experimental groups except for the T75 group ($66.67{\pm}57.73%$ survival). The levels of immune markers such as beta-glucan binding protein, prophenoloxidase, and crustin associated with the cellular and humoral immunity of shrimp were found to be higher in 25% and 50% commercial feed replacement groups. A reduction in total nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, and ammonia levels was greater in T25 and T50 rather than in T75 and T100. These results clearly indicate that replacement of feed with 25 to 50% Ptecticus tenebriferpowder in juvenile white shrimp diet was optimal in promoting the growth performance of shrimp without any adverse effects.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.457-460
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• 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Ptecticus tenebrifer powder on the mortality and meat quality of Korean native chickens. A total of 40,000 Korean native chickens (1 day old, Hanhyup No. 3) were allocated to two dietary treatments (20,000 chickens in each treatment), which were fed the following: basal diet (control) and 1% of Ptecticus tenebrifer powder (T1). Feeding trials were conducted for 12 weeks, and mortality was measured weekly. At the end of the experimental period, 16 chickens (8 chickens in each treatment) were selected and slaughtered to obtain breast meat. The items used to analyze meat quality were pH, TBARS, and meat color. The weekly mortality rate was decreased by around 2 to 3 times in the T1 treatment group compared with the control group. The pH, TBARS, L^*, and b^* values of Korean native chicken breast were not affected by Ptecticus tenebrifer powder supplementation (p>0.05); however, a^* values showed statistical significance (p<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 1% Ptecticus tenebrifer powder reduced mortality rate and demonstrated its potential in livestock environmental management.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.96-100
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• 2021

The era of mass production of agricultural and dairy systems inevitably causes a huge amount of biowastes during their processes. Modern consumption patterns of the general public also contribute to biowaste formation. Thus, processing biowastes has attracted much attention. The introduced black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) is considered as one of environmentally friendly management options for solving biowaste issues. However, an indigenous species, Ptecticus tenebrifer, is also a powerful decomposer that has been largely neglected. This species can be easily found on biowastes such as manure dump, agricultural wastes, and human food wastes. It can be also easily found in the field. It is even attracted to a food trap. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ecological study on this species.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.993-997
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• 2022

This study was conducted to evaluate the structure and composition (i.e., pH, moisture, total-N, pathogens, and volatile fatty acids) of broiler and duck manure treated with larvae of three insect larvae, namely, Tenebrio molitor, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, and Ptecticus tenebrifer. Hatched Tenebrio molitor (n=300), Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (n=60), and Ptecticus tenebrifer (n=300) were used in this study; specially, the larvae were divided into six treatments with three replicates. The treatments were as follows: T1: 110 g broiler manure + Tenebrio molitor larvae (n=50), T2: 110 g duck manure + Tenebrio molitor larvae (n=50), T3: 125 g broiler manure + Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae (n=10), T4: 125 g duck manure + Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae (n=10), T5: 105 g broiler manure + Ptecticus tenebrifer larvae (n=50), and T6: 105 g duck manure + Ptecticus tenebrifer larvae (n=50). For all the larval treatments, the following results were observed: The moisture content of the duck manure treat with three insect larvae was higher than that of the broiler manure (p<0.05), whereas broiler manure had a higher pH (p<0.05). In addition, the total nitrogen content of broiler manure was higher than that of duck manure (p<0.05). However, the insect larvae did not significantly affect pathogens (E.coli and Salmonella) and the volatile fatty acids (p>0.05). In conclusion, the use of the three insect larvae to create organic nitrogen compost using poultry manure is feasible.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.989-992
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• 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of larval stages of three species, namely, Tenebrio molitor, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, and Ptecticus tenebrifer larvae, in degrading poultry manure, specially, broiler and duck manure. The survival rates of larvae were also noted. For the experiment, T. molitor (n=300), P. brevitarsis seulensis (n=60), and P. tenebrifer (n=300) hatched larvae were randomly divided into six groups with three replicates. The degaradation efficacy tests were then performed for 30 days in a laboratory. The test groups were as follows: T1, 110 g broiler manure + T. molitor larvae (n=50); T2, 110 g duck manure + T. molitor larvae (n=50); T3, 125 g broiler manure + P. brevitarsis seulensis larvae (n=10); T4, 125 g duck manure + P. brevitarsis seulensis larvae (n=10); T5, 105 g broiler manure + P. tenebrifer larvae (n=50); and T6, 105 g duck manure + P. tenebrifer larvae (n=50). The groups showed significant efficacy in degrading broiler and duck manure (p<0.05). The highest survival rates were recorded for T. molitor larvae in both manure types [T1 (92.67%) and T2 (50%)], followed by P. brevitarsis seulensis larvae (T4, 40%) and P. tenebrifer larvae (T6, 14.67%) in duck manure. Next, the survival rates of P. brevitarsis seulensis (T3) and Ptecticus tenebrifer larvae (T5) in broiler manure were 0%. In conclusion, these results point to the feasibility of using insect larvae to degrade broiler and duck manure.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.409-417
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• 2015

This study aimed to summarize the characteristics of visitor experience for different market segments based on insect experience orientation in order to develop Ptecticus tenebrifer (Diptera: Stratiomyidae [Walker]) experience programs using local resources in the insect industrial market. A total of 325 effective samples were collected, and the attributes of insect experience orientation were connected to education, emotion, society, and ego. The survey respondents were students and parents of school-age children. Cluster analysis showed that the respondents were classified into two or three groups that were all found to be high in the prediction validity and discriminant analysis. Based on this result, the respondents were properly subdivided into three clusters for final analysis. Those three groups were: the passive group, the moderate group, and the active-orientation group. As a group aiming for various insect experiences, the active-orientation group consisted of parents whose children range in age from either 5 to 9 or from 10 to 14. This group was willing to spend 7 ~ 8,000 won on each experience program, and they preferred emotional experience programs. The passive and moderate orientation groups were most interested in having an educational experience. In order to increase people's interest in experience programs, education-oriented programs should be developed and promotional marketing should be reinforced. The results and implications of this study may be useful for the development of insect experience programs that can meet various visitor experience orientations as basic data that can contribute to the vitalization of the 6th industrialization plan for the insect industry.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.601-610
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• 2022

P. tenebrifer (PT) belongs to the Diptera order and Stratiomyidae family. Recently, insect industry have been focused as food, animal feed and environmental advantages. γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and melatonin have been associated with regulating sleep and depression. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter and is synthesized via biotransformation of monosodium glutamate (MSG) to GABA by lactic acid bacteria. In this study, we first used a GABA-enhanced PT extract, wherein GABA was enhanced by feeding MSG to PT. The underlying mechanisms preventing stress and insomnia were investigated in a corticosterone (CORT)-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and chronic restraint stress (CRS)-exposed mouse model, as well as in pentobarbital (45 mg/kg)-induced sleep behaviors in mice. In the present study, the GABA peak was detected in high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD) analysis and showed in Ptecticus tenebrifer water extract (PTW) but not in non-PTW extract. The results showed that PTW and Ptecticus tenebrifer with 70% ethanol extract (PTE) exerted neuroprotective effects by protecting against CORT-induced downregulation of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) expression. In addition, PTW (300 mg/kg) significantly reduced CORT levels in CRS-exposed mice. Furthermore, PTW (100 and 300 mg/kg) significantly reduced sleep latency and increased total sleep duration in pentobarbital (45 mg/kg)-induced sleeping behaviors, which was related to serum melatonin levels. In conclusion, our results suggest that PTW exerts anti-stress and sleep-enhancing effects by regulating serum CORT and melatonin levels.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.185-187
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• 2010

Most studies of the black soldier fly, Hermitia illucens, widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia and America focused on the use of larvae for recycling various organic materials and feed for fish and livestock. To recognize the instars of the soldier fly's larvae, we examined the number of exuviae originated from each larva from 1st instar to pupa. The weight and the head capsule width of the black soldier fly larvae also confirmed that the black soldier fly was passed through 6th instars. In addition, we found that the black soldier fly larvae had a well developed mandibular-maxillary complex, similar to those reported from the larvae of scavengers including Odontomyia cincta, Neopachygaster maculicornis, Ptecticus brunettii and Stratiomys ruficornis.