Assessment of the effects of temperature on the development of hide beetle (<i>Dermestes maculatus</i> De Geer 1774)

Abstract

The present work was carried out to determine the effect of two temperatures (27⁰C and 35⁰C) on the development of hide beetle (Dermestes maculatus De Geer 1774). This research was carried out at the Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, 2015. The samples of hide beetle were collected along with the infested dried fish from a local market in Sokoto metropolis, Sokoto State, Nigeria. The adult hide beetles were identified based on morphological features using standard taxonomic key and mother culture was maintained at ambient temperature and humidity. Eggs viability of 92.6% with 6 larval instars and 82.1 mean pupal survival at 27⁰C was recorded. This was in comparison with 91.7% eggs viability, 8 larval instars and mean pupal survival of 86.7% at 35C. The results showed significant difference for eggs (t_cal of 4.4, t_tab 2.78 at 5% degree confidence level) larvae (t_cal of 6.8, t_tab at 2.45 at 5% degree confidence level) and pupae (t_cal of 7.44 as against t_tab of 2.36).

Keywords: Assessment, Development, Effect, Hide Beetle, Sokoto, Temperature