J Arthropod-Borne Dis, June 2017, 11(2): 302–308 H Mosayebian et al.: Effect of Different … 302 http://jad.tums.ac.ir Published Online: May 27, 2017 Original Article Effect of Different Diets on Lifetime of Brown-Banded Cockroaches, Supella longipalpa (Blattodea: Blattellidae) Hadis Mosayebian, *Hamid Reza Basseri, Mojgan Baniardalani, Yavar Rassi, Hossein Ladonni Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (Received 25 Oct 2014; accepted 3 Aug 2016) Abstract Background: The brown-banded cockroach, Supella longipalpa, is not as common as the German cockroach in Iran. This species seeks out areas that are very warm most of the time, and prefer warmer area than what German cock- roaches prefer. There is relationship between development of instars and diet of cockroaches. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different diets on biology, life cycle on nymphal stages of S. longipalpa in laboratory condition prior to investigate the insecticide resistance status of this species in residence area in Iran. Methods: The cockroaches were reared in the insectary of School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, condition and the population divided in four equal groups. The effect of four different diets on life cycle of S. longipalpa was studied to determine the effect of them on the lifetime of each nymphal stage. Results: The diets significantly affected on growth and development of immature life stages of S. longipalpa. Based on introduced diets to the cockroache populations, total immature life cycle was 54, 58, 60 and 66 d for diets 2,4,1, and 3 relatively. However, the overall lifetime of S. longipalpa in average was about 225 days. Conclusion: As far as urban pest control is concerned, the result of this study will facilitate any operational pro- grams for control of S. longipalpa. Among the different tested diets, diets 2 and 4 with less duration would be rec- ommended for rearing of S. longipalpa in laboratory condition. Keywords: Supella longipalpa, Lifetime, Diet, Iran Introduction About 3,500 species of cockroaches exist worldwide (World Health Organization 1999). During recent years brown-banded as a seri- ous pest has been collected in different resi- dential area in Tehran (personal communica- tion, Department of Medical Entomology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences). The brown-banded cockroach is an im- portant pest species with virtually little known of the interaction between feeding, diet com- position, and reproduction and its insecticide resistance spectrum as well. Like German cock- roach, the brown-banded cockroach is small and must feed prior to oothecal production. However, unlike German cockroach (Blattel- la germanica) females, which carry the ootheca for a protracted period, Brown- banded cock- roaches (Supella longipala) females oviposit new ootheca every several days. Therefore, the effect of nutrient limitation should be- come evident much sooner in this species than in B. germanica. Brown-banded cockroaches build up their highest populations in high tem- perature areas. They do not need as much wa- ter as German cockroach, so they often live in locations, which are drier. They are often found in locations at eye-level or above (Ham- ilton et al. 1988). Mating in female German cockroach is inhibited during starvation (Roth and Stay 1962) and delayed when they are fed with a stressfully high protein diet (Ham- ilton and Schal 1988). In the absence of an *Corresponding author: Dr Hamid Reza Basseri, E-mail: basserih@tums.ac.ir J Arthropod-Borne Dis, June 2017, 11(2): 302–308 H Mosayebian et al.: Effect of Different … 303 http://jad.tums.ac.ir Published Online: May 27, 2017 adequate food supply, females either delay re- production (Kunkel 1966, Durbin and Cochran 1985) or produce fewer and smaller ootheca (Mueller 1978). Basic knowledge and understanding of the life cycle, behavior and habitat of Brown- banded cockroaches are essential, before con- ducting any operational programs for any pest control strategy in infested area. Though brown-banded cockroach is going to be more popular as the main urban pest, still there is poor evidence regarding to relationship be- tween development of instars and diet of S. longipalpa. The aim of this study was to find out the influence of different diets with carbohydrates based on some biological features such as survival and longevity of S. longipalpa in the laboratory condition. Materials and Methods Cockroach populations Brown banded cockroaches were collect- ed from an infested area in Tehran, Iran. All cockroaches were maintained in an insectary of School of Public Health, Tehran Univer- sity of Medical Sciences at 27±2 ºC, 60±10 % RH, with a photoperiod of 12: 12h (L: D). Each population of cockroach was reared in the same size labeled glass jar. The cockroach- es were provided with four different diets and water. Experimental design and diets In order to avoid any heterogeneity in pop- ulation, the trial was conducted on 2nd gen- eration of Brown-banded Cockroaches. Newly emerged unfed nymphs (aged 3+5 days) of cockroaches were randomly allocated to each type of diets. The effect of each type of food staffs e.g. milk, date, and both (date+milk) on longevity of immature stage of cockroaches were studied in the present of normal diet (dry bread and dry pellets of rabbit food, bran and water), i.e. the diet, regularly was used for rearing and maintaining the cock- roach colonies in our laboratory. The diets used in this study were: 1) normal diet, 2) diet 1 + date, 3) diet1 + milk, and 4) diet 1 + date and milk. Each group of insects con- sisted of 10 cockroaches placed in a plastic buckle (3 liters capacity) and then the insects were allowed to feed based on the selected diets (as above) available in a plastic Petri dish. Each test was consisted of three replications. Statistical analysis Kaplan-Meier statistical test (particular sta- tistical test, recommended for survival test in biology) and one way analyzes of variance (ANOVA) were used to find out how the ef- fect of different diets on life time of nymphal stages of S. longipalpa varies, using SPSS statistical package 18 (Chicago, IL, USA). The earlier statistical methods have been se- lected based on experimental design, diets, and variables applied in this study. Results Effect of diets on nymphal stages The diets significantly affected on growth and development of immature life stages of S. longipalpa (Kaplan-Meier statistical test, P< 0.05). Based on introduced diets to the cockroach populations, total immature life cycle was 54, 58, 60 and 66 d for diets 2,4,1, and 3, respectively. S. longipalpa had 4 distinct nymphal stages for immature stage prior to adult stag, i.e. overall, 5 stages including adult. The total nymphal stages were completed with- in 59.1 d±0.32 (days ±S.E) for diet 1. The result for each nymphal stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 stages was 13.2±0.18, 15.03±0.37, 18.87±0.46 and 12±0.27days, respectively. The group of cockroaches, which used diet 2, completed all nymphal stages within 54.07±0.27 days. In addition, duration of each nymphal stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 12.77±0.16, 13.13±0.24, J Arthropod-Borne Dis, June 2017, 11(2): 302–308 H Mosayebian et al.: Effect of Different … 304 http://jad.tums.ac.ir Published Online: May 27, 2017 17.77±0.39 and 10.40±0.25 days respective- ly. The insects which fed on diet 3, complet- ed the total nymphal stages within 66.43±0.45 days and duration of nymphs for each stage of 1, 2, 3 and 4 was 14.03±0.15, 15.63±0.28, 21.40±0.84 and 15.37±0.55 respectively. The cockroaches which diet 4 was provided for them, completed whole nymphal stage within 57.99±0.3 days. The duration of development for each stage of 1, 2, 3 and 4 was 13.03± 0.18, 14.7±0.26, 18.53±0.51 and 11.73±0.27 respectively (Table 1). Generally, the shortest stage occurred among forth instar stage, which the longest belonged to third instars (Fig. 1). To compare the duration of first instar development, those insects, which fed on diet 2, had shortest lifetime while diet 3 caused longest durations among four groups. The maximum stage occurred in third instar nymph, which fed with diet 3 (Fig. 1). The cumulated survival of nymphs moulted from each stage to next based on diet per time is presented in Fig. 2–5. The number of nymphs moved to next stage was varied within stages and between four diets. Although the fist in- star of insect group, which fed on diet 1 started moulting earlier, the group, which had diet 2, completed first instar development in a shorter time. In addition, diet 3 cause delays in the moulting of 1st instar of cockroach (Fig. 2). Diet 2 accelerated movement of 2nd instar to next stage faster comparing with others. The duration rage for completing 2nd instar in this group occurred between 11 to 16 days while the insects used diet 1 stated moulting from 13th and finished on 20th (Fig. 3). Generally, duration of 3rd instar was longer than other stages in four groups. Although four types of the diet accelerated moulting of 3rd instar to next stage within nearly same time, the diet 3 showed delay in development of this stage longer than other groups and the last cock- roaches moved to 4th instar at day 30th (Fig. 4). The duration 4th instar development also showed variation while the diet 2 started to move to adult stage faster and the number of insect, which completed this stage was shorter with diet 2 as well. In contrary, the cockroaches treated with diet 3 started moulting later and the duration of 4th instar was obviously long- er comparing with other groups (Fig. 5). Fig. 1. The effect of different diets on lifetime of nymphal stages of Supella longipalpa in laboratory (ANOVA test). The bars represent the mean value days of development of nymphal stage from three replicates where the standard errors are included. N 1, N2, N3, N4 represent 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th nymphal stage Supella longipalpa (F.) and D1, D2, D3and D4 represent the type of diets provided for each group of cockroaches J Arthropod-Borne Dis, June 2017, 11(2): 302–308 H Mosayebian et al.: Effect of Different … 305 http://jad.tums.ac.ir Published Online: May 27, 2017 D1: Normal diet (dry bread-dry pellets of rabbit food, bran and water), D2: diet 1+ date, D3: diet 1+milk, D4: diet 1+ (date and milk) respectively. Table 1. The effect of different diets on lifetime of nymphal stages of Supella longipalpa in laboratory (Kaplan meier test) Diets Days D1 D2 D3 D4 N1 13.20±0.18 1* 12.77±O.16 1* 14.30±0.15 1* 13.03±0.18 1* N2 15.03±0.37 2* 13.13±0.24 2* 15.63±0.28 2* 14.70±0.26 2* N3 18.87±0.46 3* 17.77±0.39 3* 21.40±0.84 3* 18.53±0.51 3* N4 12±0.27 4* 10.40±0.25 4* 15.37±0.55 4* 11.73±0.27 4* N 1, N2, N3, N4 represent 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th nymphal stage of Supella longipalpa. D1, D2, D3and D4 represent the type of diets, D1: Normal diet (dry bread-dry pellets of rabbit food, bran and water), D2: diet 1 + date. D3: diet 1+ milk, D4: diet 1+ (date and milk) and respectively (P< 0.05). The numbers represent the mean value days of development of nymphal stage from three replicates where the standard errors are included. The number of insects in each group of replication was 10 cockroaches (n= 10). (*): Represent the significant differences between Nymphal stages and different diets using Kaplan Meier statistical tes t< 0.05. Fig. 2. Effect of different diets on 1st nymphal stage of Supella longipalpa (Kaplan Meier, survival test) N1: 1st nymphal stage D1, D2, D3 and D4 represent the type of diets, D1: Normal diet (dry bread-dry pellets of rabbit food, bran and water), D2: diet 1 + date, D3: diet 1+milk, D4: diet 1 + date and milk and the ny- pmphal stages respectively. The number of in- sects in each group of replication was 10 cock- roaches (n= 10) Fig. 3. Effect of different diets on 2nd nymphal stage of Supella longipalpa (Kaplan Meier, survival test) N2: 2nd nymphal stage. D1, D2, D3and D4 repre- sent the type of diets, D1: Normal diet (dry bread-dry pellets of rabbit food, bran and water), J Arthropod-Borne Dis, June 2017, 11(2): 302–308 H Mosayebian et al.: Effect of Different … 306 http://jad.tums.ac.ir Published Online: May 27, 2017 D2: diet 1 + date, D3: diet 1 + milk, D4: diet 1+date and milk and the nypmphal stages re- spectively. The number of insects in each group of replication was 10 cockroaches (n= 10) Fig. 4. Effect of different diets on 3rd nymphal stage of Supella longipalpa (kaplan Meier, survival test). D1, D2, D3and D4 represent the type of diets, D1: Normal diet (dry bread-dry pellets of rabbit food, bran and water), D2: diet 1 + date, D3: diet 1+ milk, D4: diet 1 + date and milk and the nypmphal stages respectively. The number of insects in each group of replication was 10 cockroaches (n = 10) N3: 3rd nymphal stage. Fig. 5. Effect of different diets on 4th nymphal stage of Supella longipalpa (Kaplan Meier, survival test) D1, D2, D3 and D4 represent the type of diets, D1: Normal diet (dry bread-dry pellets of rabbit food, bran and water), D2: diet 1 + date, D3: diet 1 + milk, D4: diet 1 + date and milk and the ny- pmphal stages respectively. The number of in- sects in each group of replication was 10 cock- roaches (n = 10). N4: 4th: nymphal stage Discussion We found that modification of diet can significantly effect on duration of nymphal development of S. longipalpa. Diet is one of the most crucial factor to rear or colonizing insects in laboratory condition. Generally, feeding insect with appropriate diet can re- duce the duration of instar development to minimum time and optimize the reproductions. Four diets were introduced to immature stages of S. longipalpa with types of diets based on the longevity of nymphal stages. The shorter life time/day indicating the appropri- ated diet was given to the insects. Colonies of cockroach facilitate field of re- searches on pest control such as bioassay tests and evaluation of insecticides. In terms of cockroach and an emphasis on IVM control, comprehensive studies have been carried out on different aspects of German cockroach B. germanica (L.) (Cochroan 1986, Ladonni et al. 1988, Ladonni 2000, Ladonni 2001). Inher- itance and resistance spectrum, molecular basis of kdr resistance of German cockroach to four main groups of insecticides have been wide- ly studied on different Iranian strains of Ger- man cockroach (Ladonni et al. 1988, Limoee et al. 2007, Limoee et al. 2011). There are some evidences indicating that S. longipalpa has been substitution with German cockroach (Blat- tella germanica) in some cities of Iran. There- fore, S. longipalpa is going to be more con- sidered as an urban pest in many cities while J Arthropod-Borne Dis, June 2017, 11(2): 302–308 H Mosayebian et al.: Effect of Different … 307 http://jad.tums.ac.ir Published Online: May 27, 2017 poor knowledge are available about biology and ecology if this species. Studies with German cockroach have re- vealed an intimate association between the availability of food and water and reproduc- tive success (Roth and stay 1962, Kunkel 1966, Mueller 1978). Food and water consumption are cyclical and closely related to the repro- duction cycle in German and American cock- roaches (Bell 1969, Cochran 1983, Rollo 1984, Durbin and Cochran 1985, Hamilton and Schal 1988). However, little studies have been car- ried out on resting and feeding behavior of S. longipalpa. Influence of dietary protein on food intake and reproduction of female German cockroach was studied by Hamilton and Schal (1988), so adult performance was directly influenced by deity protein level. Females which had a diet with 65% protein, died rapidly while the females fed on nutrient which contained 5% protein, not only their reproductive rate re- duced but also the size of oothecaes were smaller. Our results indicated that food staffs based on hydrocarbon compounds has a great ef- fect on development of immature stage. The results of cumulated survival analyses on nymphs’ development indicated that passing nymphes from one stage to next was varied based on the type of diet. This variation could be due to carbohydrate food available partic- ularly those insects, which accessed to date. It seems that date as supplementary food could accelerate the nymphs of cockroaches to complete each stage faster. Date contain high amount simple carbohydrates that in- sects can quickly digests and turns into en- ergy. Therefore, this study recommends date as supplementary food for feeding cockroach- es particularly for rearing S. longipalpa in la- boratory condition. Conclusion As far as host pest control is concerned, colonizing pest at optimum condition is es- sential for pesticides evaluating and under- standing of other aspects of biology and ecol- ogy of pest such as S. longipalpa. According- ly, the optimum diets for accelerating moulting of brown-banded instars are diets 2 and 4. Acknowledgements This study was supported by as a grant from Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) (Grant no. 22817-27-02-92). The re- search was a part of MSPH thesis at School of Public Health, Tehran University of Med- ical Sciences. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. References Bell WJ (1969) Continuous and rhythmic re- productive cycle observed in Periplaneta americana (L.). Biol Bull Mar Biol Lab, Woods Hole. 137: 239–249. Cochran DG (1983) Food and water con- sumption during the reproductive cycle of female German cockroaches. Ent Exp App. 34: 51–57. Durbin EJ, Cochran DG (1985) Food and water deprivation effects on reproduc- tion in female Blattella germanica. Ent Exp Appl. 37: 77–82. Hamilton RL, Schal C (1988) Effects of di- etary protein levels on reproduction and food consumption in the German cock- roach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae). Ann Entomol Soc Am. 81: 969–976. Kunkel JG (1966) Development and the avail- ability of food in the German cock- roach, Blattella germanica (L). J Insect Physiol. 12: 227–235. Ladonni H (2001) Evaluation of Three Meth- ods for Detecting Permethrin Resistance in Adult and Nymphal Blattella ger- manica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae). J Eco- nomic Entomol. 94(3): 694–697. J Arthropod-Borne Dis, June 2017, 11(2): 302–308 H Mosayebian et al.: Effect of Different … 308 http://jad.tums.ac.ir Published Online: May 27, 2017 Ladonni H (2000) Permethrin resistance ra- tios compared by two methods of test- ing nymphs of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. Med Vet Ento- mol. 14(2): 213–216. Ladonni H, Aboulhasani M, Shaeghi M (1988) Susceptibility of first nymphal stage of different strains of Blattella germanica L. (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) to diazinon and propoxur, using insecticide impreg- nated paper. J Entomol Soc Iran 16–17. pp. 23–30. Limoee M, Enayati AA, Khassi K, Salimi M, Ladonni H (2011) Insecticide resistance and synergism of three field collected strains of the German cockroach Blat- tella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blat- tellidae) from hospitals in Kermanshah, Iran. J Tropical Biomed. 28(1): 111–118. Limoee M, Enayati AA, Ladonni H, Vatandoost H, Baseri H, Oshaghi MA (2007) Various mechanisms responsible for permethrin metabolic resistance in se- ven field-collected strains of the Ger- man cockroach from Iran, Blattella ger- manica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae). Pestic Biochem Phys. 87(2): 138–146. Mueller P (1978) deprivation on the devel- opment of laboratory colonies of the German cockroach. Z Gest Hyg Gren. 24: 122–1261. Rollo CD (1984) Resource allocation and time budgeting in adults of the cock- roach interaction of behavior and me- ta-bolic reserves. Res Popul Ecol. 26: 150–187. Roth LM, Stay B (1962) Oocyte develop- ment in Blattella germanica (L.) and Blattella vaga Herberd. Ann Entomol Soc Am. 55: 633–642. World Health Organization (1999) Cockroach, their Biology, Distribution and Control, WHO/CPC/WHOPES/99.3. Geneva, p. 96.