Abstract: We aimed to establish an applicable cultural method for embryonic cells of Tenebrio molitor and lay the foundation for culture of Tenebrio molitor and related research. After treated with mechanical dispersion and trypsin digestion, the optimal culture medium and fetal bovine serum(FBS) concentration were screened by comparing the growth status of the primary cells of the Tenebrio molitor embryonic cells cultured in Grace′s medium, IPL-41 and Schneider′s medium, respectively. The result showed that cellular morphology in Grace′s medium was better and grew rapidly compared with IPL-41 medium and Schneider′s medium. The optimal FBS concentration was 20% based on the comparison of the cell viability cultured in Grace′s medium with various concentrations of FBS with hatched 7 d eggs. Therefore, the primary cells of the Tenebrio molitor embryonic cells grow well in Grace′s medium with 20% FBS by mechanical dispersion and were passaged for the 5th generation period.

Key words: Tenebrio molitor, mechanical dispersion, primarycell culture