Assessing as a dietary supplement and for toxicity to (Coleoptera: Dryopthoridae).

Insects are important for humanity; play role in crop pollination, and biocontrol of harmful pests. The red palm weevil, , is a major pest of date palms and has become a serious threat. Scientists needs ample numbers of insects for bioassays to explore control options. The alga , is enriched by protein, natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, stimulate the development of organisms that feed on it. I assessed the value of as a nutritional supplement for red palm weevil larvae by adding its various percentages to the artificial diet. Once a week, the larvae were removed from the containers, washed with distilled water, dried, weighed using an electronic scale, returned to a new container, and supplied with mixed fresh diet. Larvae fed with lower concentrations showed vigorous growth and significant weight gain. Particularly, larvae fed 0.5%, 1%, and 2% powder supplementation to their diet were healthier and gained more weight than larvae reared with >5% concentration. Overall 40% mortality was recorded in larvae fed with 10% concentration. Higher concentrations were lethal, and all larvae died within two weeks when fed 20% . The present research findings indicate that used in concentrations from 0.5% to below 5% had a beneficial effect on red palm weevil larval growth but a detrimental effect and even mortality was recorded when used ≥5%.