ArticleVeterinary clinical pathology2026
Life-Stage-Specific Hematological Profiles in Yellow Mealworm Beetles (Tenebrio molitor): Reference Intervals and Hemocyte Characterization.
Article in Veterinary clinical pathology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe edible insect industry, driven by the nutritional and environmental benefits of mealworms, faces increasing challenges from pathogens affecting Tenebrio molitor farming systems. Hemocyte-based health assessments could provide valuable diagnostic insights, yet standardized hemolymph processing protocols and hematological reference intervals (RIs) are currently lacking for this species.
objectivesThis study aimed to develop practical protocols for hemolymph sampling, refine hemocyte classification, and establish hematological RIs for both larval and adult stages of T. molitor.
methodsAn optimized tearing method, involving capillary collection of hemolymph from a proleg transected at the femoral-tibial joint, was used to sample healthy individuals. Total and differential hemocyte counts were determined using a hemocytometer and Wright-Giemsa-stained smears, respectively, and from distinct insect populations (n = 41-43 samples per group). Hemolymph was analyzed in pools due to the small size of T. molitor. Transmission electron microscopy was conducted on a multinucleated giant hemocyte (MGH) isolated from a histologic slide. RIs were calculated following American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) guidelines, and life-stage differences were statistically assessed.
resultsGranular cells and plasmatocytes predominated, whereas prohemocytes and oenocytoids were rare. MGHs, newly identified in T. molitor, were characterized as a fifth hemocyte population. Significant life-stage differences were observed, warranting separate RIs for larvae and adults. The established RIs were relatively wide, reflecting natural fluctuations in invertebrate hemolymph volume and the unsexed, age-diverse reference population.
conclusionsThis report of hematological RIs for T. molitor lays the groundwork for implementing hemocyte-based health surveillance in yellow mealworm beetle farming.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.