# Effects of Different Sugar Types on Longevity, Fecundity, and Nutrient Metabolism in Sclerodermus guani Xiao et Wu (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae)

## TL;DR

This study finds that feeding Sclerodermus guani with 1 mol/L glucose improves its lifespan and reproduction, making it more effective for pest control.

## Contribution

The study identifies glucose as the optimal sugar for enhancing longevity and fecundity in Sclerodermus guani.

## Key findings

- Prolonged sugar feeding significantly extends the lifespan of S. guani, with fructose, glucose, and sucrose showing the most pronounced effects.
- Glucose and trehalose significantly reduce the pre-oviposition period and increase egg production in S. guani.
- Sugar consumption increases carbohydrate content, slows lipid depletion, and promotes protein accumulation in S. guani.

## Abstract

Sclerodermus guani Xiao et Wu plays a crucial role in the biological control of agricultural and forestry pests. However, its application is currently limited by low reproductive efficiency and short storage duration. In this study, we investigated the effects of different sugar diets on the longevity and fecundity of S. guani. Additionally, we measured the nutrient content in S. guani after feeding on various sugars for different durations. The results demonstrated that nutritional supplementation significantly enhanced both longevity and fecundity, with 1 mol/L glucose identified as the optimal sugar source.

Sclerodermus guani Xiao et Wu, 1983 plays a significant role in the biological control of agricultural and forestry pests. To investigate whether different sugar types significantly affect the longevity, fecundity, and nutrient reserves of female S. guani adults, this study provided 1 mol/L solutions of sucrose, fructose, glucose, mannose, or trehalose under laboratory conditions, with a distilled water group serving as the control. The longevity and nutrient content of parasitoids were measured after varying feeding durations, while fecundity was assessed in preliminary experiments. The results demonstrated that prolonged sugar feeding significantly extended parasitoid longevity, with fructose, glucose, and sucrose exhibiting the most pronounced effects and no significant differences among them. Nutrient analysis revealed that sugar consumption significantly increased total carbohydrate content, slowed lipid depletion, and promoted protein accumulation. Sucrose, fructose, and glucose outperformed other sugars and the control in these aspects. Fecundity assays indicated that glucose and trehalose significantly shortened the pre-oviposition period and enhanced egg production. In conclusion, nutritional supplementation markedly improves the longevity and reproductive performance of S. guani, with 1 mol/L glucose identified as the optimal dietary source.