The effect of raw flour of rubber (Hevae brasilensis) seeds on the growth and development of Tribolium castaneum was investigated, using some biochemical and physiological end point parameters. The rubber seed, obtained from Nigeria was ground to its flour and used as feed, unsupplemeted, for the insects. Cassava and wheat flour were also used for another set of the insects as the control. Analysis of total protein, carbohydrates and lipids in the homogenates of the insects after 15 weeks of rearing, show that is no significant differences (p>0.05) in the levels (mg/ml) of those nutrient in the insects when comparing the type of food in which those insects were reared. Also there was no significant difference in weight gains for these insects reared in rubber seed cake, wheat flour or cassava flour. We therefore suggest that rubber seed flour can be used as a cheap supplement in the formulation of animal or poultry feeds.
