Tomato pomace (TP), an agricultural industrial waste product from the tomato processing industry, is valorized as a rearing substrate for Tenebrio molitor (L.). This study evaluated bran-based diets with increasing tomato pomace (0%, 27%, 41%, and 100%). Protein sources, such as brewer’s spent grain and yeast, were used in TP27 and TP41 diets to ensure equal protein contents to the control diet. Results showed no different for larval and pupal weights between diets; however, the time of development significantly increases in TP100 compared to all diets. The feed conversion rate progressively increases from 2.7 to 4.3, respectively, from the control to the TP100 diet. Conversely, lycopene and β-carotene increase in the larvae. The fatty acid composition improves by increasing polyunsaturated fatty acids (mainly α-linoleic acid). Although the best nutritional quality was obtained in T100, the TP41 is the optimal diet for balance between larval performance and qualitative improvement of larvae. Therefore, tomato pomace is suitable for the formulation of mealworm diets, even in high dosages, when supplemented with sustainable protein and carbohydrate sources.

Tomato pomace (TP), an agricultural industrial waste product from the tomato processing industry, was valorized by being used as a rearing substrates for Tenebrio molitor (L.). This study evaluated bran-based diets with increasing tomato pomace (0%, 27%, 41% and 100%). Protein sources, as brewer’s spent grain and yeast, are used in TP27 and TP41 diets, respectively, to ensure equal protein content to control diet (TP0). Results showed larval survival, larval and pupal weight no different between diets; however, growth time significantly increases in TP100 compared at all diets. The feed conversion rate progressively increases from 2.7 to 4.3, respectively from TP0 to TP100. Conversely, Lycopene and β-Carotene increases in the larvae. Fatty acid composition improves by increasing polyunsaturated fatty acids (mainly -Linoleic acid). Although the best nutritional quality was obtained in T100, the TP41 is the optimal diet for balance between larval performance and qualitative improvement of larvae. Therefore, tomato pomace is suitable for the formulation of mealworm diets, even in high dosages when supplemented with sustainable protein sources.

By-product-based diets have the potential to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, 1758) production. However, evaluations of the efficacy of new diets are generally focused on larval performance, while the effect on adults is poorly understood. This aim of this study was to evaluate diets enriched with tomato pomace over a complete breeding cycle. The results showed that when used as an oviposition substrate, all the tested diets, including tomato pomace (T), outperformed the control bran-yeast diet (WY, 95:5 ratio), possibly due to the presence of cholesterol and linoleic acid. The adults fed with the bran-tomato pomace-brewer’s spent grain diet (WTB, 50:27:23 ratio), the bran-tomato pomace-yeast diet (WTY, 50:41:9 ratio), and the bran-tomato pomace diet (WT, 50:50 ratio) produced significantly more larvae than those fed with the WY diet. The WTB diet (despite being yeast-free) performed similarly to the WY control diet during the subsequent larval growth phase, making it suitable for the entire production cycle. In conclusion, the results show that tomato pomace can be used a valid by-product in the formulation of efficient diets for the breeding of T. molitor and also provide an alternative to expensive yeast.

Current strategies aimed at containing the spread of the vector-borne bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al. 1987) include ground cover removal and tillage in order to curb the population of juveniles of spittlebug vectors, such as Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus 1758) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) and Neophilaenus campestris (Fallén 1805) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae). However, continuous tillage might harm soil, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Here we present data on host plant use by juveniles of the 2 spittlebug species obtained through a survey carried out in 105 olive orchard plots across Apulia region, South-East Italy. P. spumarius juveniles were absent from species such as Oxalis pes-caprae (Linnaeus 1753), Astragalus hamosus (Linnaeus), Mercurialis annua (Linnaeus 1753), Fumaria parviflora (Lamarck), and Muscari spp., while N. campestris almost exclusively developed on Poaceae, avoiding most dicots. Host selection was species-specific rather than family-dependent, possibly reflecting differences in xylem chemistry and/or plant architecture. These findings provide empirical support for selective vegetation management: using plant species unsuitable for spittlebug nymphs could reduce vector populations while preserving ground cover benefits, avoiding the ecological shortcomings of indiscriminate removal. However, causal mechanisms remain untested, and the efficacy of this approach in reducing pathogen spread needs experimental validation. Moreover, potential side effects on non-target organisms and ecosystem functions require careful ecological assessment before large-scale implementation.