The qualitative effects of 24 different carbohydrates on the growth and survival of the black cricket Melanogryllus desertus Pall. were investigated by rearing the insect on synthetic diets. The results showed that the carbohydrates examined had different effects on the growth and survival of the insect. Rhamnose and lactose had inhibiting effects, whereas ribose, arabinose, xylose, galactose, sorbose, cellobiose, inuline and dulcitol produced an inert effect. Sucrose, maltose, glucose, fructose, mannose, trehalose, dextrin, glycogen, starch, sorbitol, manitol all had positive effects. Raffinose, mellibiose and inositol were utilized at very low levels by the black cricket. Of the monosaccharides, glucose promoted the best growth. Sucrose was the most effective of the disaccharides, and dextrin polysaccharides.

The qualitative effects of 24 different carbohydrates on the growth and survival of the black cricket Melanogryllus desertus Pall. were investigated by rearing the insect on synthetic diets. The results showed that the carbohydrates examined had different effects on the growth and survival of the insect. Rhamnose and lactose had inhibiting effects, whereas ribose, arabinose, xylose, galactose, sorbose, cellobiose, inuline and dulcitol produced an inert effect. Sucrose, maltose, glucose, fructose, mannose, trehalose, dextrin, glycogen, starch, sorbitol, manitol all had positive effects. Raffinose, mellibiose and inositol were utilized at very low levels by the black cricket. Of the monosaccharides, glucose promoted the best growth. Sucrose was the most effective of the disaccharides, and dextrin polysaccharides.