Factors affecting localized abundance and distribution of lesser mealworm in earth-floor broiler houses in subtropical Australia

Factors that influence the localized abundance and distribution of lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), in litter of two compacted earth-floor broiler houses in subtropical Australia were studied using various experimental manipulations. Numbers of lesser mealworms substantially increased inside caged areas and under uncaged empty feed pans placed in open areas of the houses. These populations were found to be localized and independent of chicken-feed, manure, and high beetle populations that normally occur under existing feed pans. Substantial horizontal movement of larvae to under feed pans was recorded. Placing metal barriers around these pans significantly restricted this movement. In almost all treatments, lesser mealworms typically peaked in numbers during the middle of the flock time. This temporal pattern of abundance also was observed under pans within barriers, where relatively low insect numbers occurred, but it was not observed in uncaged open areas (where chickens had complete access). It is likely that larvae do not establish in open areas, but fluctuate in numbers as they either move to refuges away from chickens or suffer high rates of mortality. In these refuges, larvae peak in numbers and then leave the litter environment to pupate in the earth floor before the end of the flock time. This behavior might be exploited for management of lesser mealworm by targeting applications of control agents.     

Mechanical barrier for preventing climbing by lesser mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and hide beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) larvae in poultry houses.

Mechanical barriers consisting of bands of polyethylene terepthalate resin attached to wooden posts by latex caulk adhesive and staples were 100% effective in preventing passage of dispersing lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), larvae in the laboratory. Barriers continued to be 100% effective after beinig held in a caged layer poultry house for 3 mo. Polyethylene terepthalate barriers installed on support posts in a pullet house in Brooker, FL, were >92% effective against natural populations of lesser mealworm larvae 6 mo after installation. The barriers also were >94% effective against natural populations of larvae of the hide beetle, Dermestes maculatus DeGeer, when fly populations were low. Fecal spot depositions by house flies in excess of 31 cumulative fly spots per square centimeter on spot cards reduced the effectiveness of the barriers to 79-90%, and barrier efficacy was reduced to 40-56% when fly spots covered >80% of the surface of the plastic. Washing the barriers with water to remove fly spots restored their effectiveness against hide beetle larvae to >99%.     

An experiment on ant predation in soil using a new bait trap method

To examine which species of ant are underground predators, we invented a simple bait trap using live mealworms as bait. A total of 75 bait traps were buried in soil at various depths (10, 20, 30 and 50 cm) to investigate the vertical distribution of predatory ants. The ants captured in approximately 50% of the traps were mostlyTetramorium caespitum andSolenopsis japonica. Solenopsis japonica was captured at greater depths (>30 m) thanT. caespitum. Eight kinds of soil invertebrate (the earthworm, wood louse, pill bug, millipede, adults of the dung beetle and carabid beetle, larvae of a cetoniine beetle and the earwig), placed in traps at a depth of 10 cm, varied greatly in attractiveness and vulnerability to ant predation. The earthworm and the wood louse were both attractive and vulnerable to ant predation, whereas the pill bug, the dung beetle and the millipede were attractive but not vulnerable. The larvae of a cetoniine beetle, the carabid beetle and the earwig were mostly unattractive.     

The Effect of a Eugregarine Gregarina polymorpha (Hammerschmidt) on the Mealworm Larva of Tenebrio molitor (L.)

SYNOPSIS. The larva of the beetle Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae), commonly referred to as the mealworm, harbors considerable numbers of gregarines in its midgut. These are not necessary for normal growth, nor do they prolong the life of larvae grown under optimal conditions of temperature, relative humidity and diet. When the larvae were grown under optimal conditions there was no significant difference between the length of larval life or the final pupal weight of mealworms harboring gregarines when compared with mealworms which had been reared free from gregarines. This applied both to infected and non-infected larvae grown singly and in communal cultures.
When, however, larvae were grown on a sub-optimal diet, the gregarines had a considerable effect on the final pupal weight and the ability of the larva to complete development.     

Succession of Carrion Fauna in the Arid Region of San Juan Province, Argentina and Its Forensic Relevance

The succession of carrion fauna and the decomposition stages were studied in the arid environment of San Juan Province, Argentina (31°32??34.7?? S; 68°34??39.4?? W). Two pig carcasses (Sus scrofa) were placed in wire mesh cages, 100?m apart from each other. Each carcass was surrounded by pitfall traps, and a modified Malaise trap was placed above. Daily samplings were carried out to collect the insects present in the carcasses and the traps, and body and environmental temperature were measured. The main colonizer species was Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) and its larvae were dominant over other Diptera. The first adult blowflies emerged at 8.9?days. The time to reach the remains stage was 8?days shorter than for other South American sites. We recorded the early arrival of adult Dermestes maculates De Geer and Dermestes ater De Geer 2?days after the beginning of the assay, and larvae of these species were recorded 4?days after. We determined a 1.5-day error in the postmortem interval estimation using the temperatures measured in the assay and those recorded by the nearest meteorological station.     

Lesser mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) emergence after mechanical incorporation of poultry litter into field soils

Lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), emergence from North Carolina field soils was evaluated in a controlled experiment simulating land application of turkey litter and again in field studies. Adult lesser mealworms were buried in central North Carolina Cecil red clay at depths of 0, 8, 15, 23, and 30 cm and the beetles emerging from the soil counted 1, 3, 7, 10, 13, 17, 21, 24, and 28 d after burial. Beetles emerged from all depths and differences among depths were not significant. Beetles survived at least 28 d buried in the soil at depths < or =30 cm. In seasonal field studies, lesser mealworm emergence from clay soil with poultry litter incorporated by disk, mulch and plow was compared with emergence from plots with no incorporation. Incorporation significantly reduced beetle emergence when poultry litter containing large numbers of beetles was applied to clay field soils during the summer (F = 3.45; df = 3, 143; P = 0.018). Although mechanical incorporation of poultry litter reduced beetle emergence relative to the control, greatest reductions were seen in plowed treatments. Beetle activity was reduced after land application of litter during colder months. Generally, lesser mealworm emergence decreased with time and few beetles emerged from the soil 28 d after litter was applied. Similarly, mechanical incorporation of poultry litter into sandy soils reduced beetle emergence (F = 4.06; df = 3, 143; P < 0.008). In sandy soils typical of eastern North Carolina, disk and plow treatments significantly reduced beetle emergence compared with control.     

A new culture method for lesser mealworm,Alphitobius diaperinus

A new culture method for lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), was developed to provide large numbers of adult lesser mealworms of approximately the same age for insecticide resistance testing. Culturing entailed allowing 100 adults to reproduce for 4 days in a wheat‐based culture medium contained inside a plastic culture box, removing the adults from the medium, and then rearing their progeny to adulthood therein, in approximately 56 days at 32°C and 55% RH. During their development, progeny were supplied water via apple slices at 0, 21 and 35 days, and a foam substrate in which to pupate, also at 35 days. During 2004–2005, adult lesser mealworms were collected from six broiler‐house populations and then cultured with this method. Each population produced 4500 adults required to complete resistance testing with one insecticide within ten culture boxes, at an average of 798 adults per culture box.     

The alleged occurrence of adrenalin in the mealworm

Wense has reported the isolation of crystalline adrenalin from larvae of the beetle Tenebrio molitor. An attempt to repeat his procedures failed to yield any evidence of adrenalin. Analysis of mealworm extracts by paper chromatography and colorimetric means also yielded no indication of adrenalin, though adrenalin added to mealworms can be detected by these procedures in amounts less than 1 mg. per 100 gm. Mealworm extracts reveal on the paper chromatogram the presence of two other orthodiphenols, neither of which appears to be dopa but which may be 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, compounds recently isolated elsewhere from this organism.     

Suppression of adult lesser mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) using soil incorporation of poultry manure

The effectiveness of manure incorporation in reducing the numbers of adult lesser mealworms emerging from caged-layer poultry manure applied to agricultural fields was examined in summer 2002 and 2004. Incorporation treatments included control (no incorporation), disk (7-cm depth), harrow (15-cm depth), chisel plow (30-cm depth), and moldboard plow (33-cm depth) on silt loam soils in New York state. An estimated 55,192 and 183,500 live adult lesser mealworms were applied to the field in 2002 and 2004, respectively. Mortality due to the action of the manure spreader was 32.4% in 2002 and 6.5% in 2004. No significant differences were observed between treatments in 2002. However, moldboard plowing significantly reduced beetle emergence compared with no tillage in 2004. Peak beetle flight was observed 10 and 17 d after manure application in 2002 and 2004, respectively.     

Distributions of lesser mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in litter of a compacted earth floor broiler house in subtropical Queensland, Australia

Distributions of lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), in litter of a compacted earth floor broiler house in southeastern Queensland, Australia, were studied over two flocks. Larvae were the predominant stage recorded. Significantly low densities occurred in open locations and under drinker cups where chickens had complete access, whereas high densities were found under feed pans and along house edges where chicken access was restricted. For each flock, lesser mealworm numbers increased at all locations over the first 14 d, especially under feed pans and along house edges, peaking at approximately 26 d and then declining over the final 28 d. A life stage profile per flock was devised that consisted of the following: beetles emerge from the earth floor at the beginning of each flock, and females lay eggs, producing larvae that peak in numbers at approximately 3 wk; after a further 3 to 4 wk, larvae leave litter to pupate in the earth floor, and beetles then emerge by the end of the flock time. Removing old litter from the brooder section at the end of a flock did not greatly reduce mealworm numbers over the subsequent flock, but it seemed to prevent numbers increasing, while an increase in numbers in the grow-out section was recorded after reusing litter. Areas under feed pans and along house edges accounted for 5% of the total house area, but approximately half the estimated total number of lesser mealworms in the broiler house occurred in these locations. The results of this study will be used to determine optimal deployment of site-specific treatments for lesser mealworm control.     

Examining Cuphea as a potential host for western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): larval development

In previous crop rotation research, adult emergence traps placed in plots planted to Cuphea PSR-23 (a selected cross of Cuphea viscosissma Jacq. and Cuphea lanceolata Ait.) caught high numbers of adult western corn rootworms, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), suggesting that larvae may have completed development on this broadleaf plant. Because of this observation, a series of greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that Cuphea could serve as a host for larval development. Greenhouse-grown plants infested with neonates of a colonized nondiapausing strain of the beetle showed no survival of larvae on Cuphea, although larvae did survive on the positive control (corn, Zea mays L.) and negative control [sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] plants. Soil samples collected 20 June, 7 July, and 29 July 2005 from field plots planted to Cuphea did not contain rootworm larvae compared with means of 1.28, 0.22, and 0.00 rootworms kg(-1) soil, respectively, for samples collected from plots planted to corn. Emergence traps captured a peak of eight beetles trap(-1) day(-1) from corn plots on 8 July compared with a peak of 0.5 beetle trap(-1) day(-1) on 4 August from Cuphea plots. Even though a few adult beetles were again captured in the emergence traps placed in the Cuphea plots, it is not thought to be the result of successful larval development on Cuphea roots. All the direct evidence reported here supports the conventional belief that rootworm larvae do not survive on broadleaf plants, including Cuphea.     

Arthropod populations in high-rise, caged-layer houses after three manure cleanout treatments

Two partial cleanout methods were compared with complete cleanouts in replicate caged-layer houses for effects on manure characteristics and subsequent dynamics in populations of manure-breeding house fly (Musca domestica L.), lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus [Panzer]), and associated natural enemies. Absolute densities of adult house flies increased by approximately two to four times within 3 wk after cleanouts of all kinds, and then remained stable over the next 3 mo. Increases were least in barns where residual pads were formed with manure that had been selectively retained from valleys between older piles. Compared with complete cleanouts, partial cleanouts reduced water content of subsequent manure piles. Partial cleanouts also conserved more pteromalid fly parasites, more predatory Xylocoris bugs, and more predatory Carcinops beetles, but not more macrochelid mites. Lesser mealworm populations were reduced by cleanouts of all kinds, but complete cleanouts reduced populations the most. Results suggest choice of cleanout method will depend on whether house flies or lesser mealworms are of primary concern.     

THE EFFECT OF CERTAIN PREDATORS ON THE NUMBERS OF CABBAGE ROOT FLY (ERIOISCHIA BRASSICAE (BOUCHÉ)) AND ON THE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE PEST

To determine the importance of beetle predators on the natural control of cabbage root fly, experiments were carried out in 1958 and 1959 using various types of barriers to obtain different levels of beetle populations on cauliflower plots. A barrier of DDT-treated straw, placed in the soil around some plots, decreased the numbers of beetles within them and allowed a greater number of eggs and larvae of cabbage root fly to survive than on the untreated plots, resulting in a greater crop damage. Another type of barrier allowed the beetles to enter plots but made it difficult for them to leave. On these, fewer cabbage root-fly eggs and larvae survived and the crop damage was much less than on the plots surrounded by straw barriers. Where plants were treated with insecticide the root-fly population was reduced to a minimum and crop yields were considerably increased. The insecticide, however, caused a reduction in the numbers of predatory beetles.     

Complete nutrient composition of commercially raised invertebrates used as food for insectivores

A variety of invertebrates are commonly fed to insectivorous animals by both zoos and hobbyists, but information as to the nutrient composition of most commercially raised species is limited. Adult house crickets, house cricket nymphs (Acheta domesticus), superworms (Zophobas morio larvae), giant mealworm larvae, mealworm larvae and adult mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), waxworm larvae (Galleria mellonella), and silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori) were analyzed for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins. Earthworms (Lumbricus terresstris) were analyzed for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, ash, ADF, NDF, minerals, amino acids, and vitamins A and D₃. Proximate analyses were variable, with wide ranges found for moisture (57.9–83.6%), crude protein (9.3–23.7%), crude fat (1.6–24.9%), ADF (0.1–7.4%), NDF (0.0–11.5%), and ash (0.6–1.2%). Energy content ranged from a low of 674 kcal/kg for silkworms to 2,741 kcal/kg for waxworms.Using an amino acid scoring pattern for rats, the first limiting amino acid for all invertebrates tested was the total sulfur amino acid methionine+cystine. Deficiencies by nutrient (% of samples deficient vs. NRC requirements for rats on a dry matter (DM) basis) were as follows: calcium (100%), vitamin D₃ (100%), vitamin A (89%), vitamin B₁₂ (75%), thiamin (63%), vitamin E (50%), iodine (44%), manganese (22%), methionine‐cystine (22%), and sodium (11%). Deficiencies by invertebrate species (number of nutrients deficient vs. the NRC requirements for rats on a DM basis) were as follows: waxworms (9), superworms (8), giant mealworm larvae (7), adult mealworms (6), mealworm larvae (5), adult house crickets (4), house cricket nymphs (4), silkworms (4), and earthworms (4). These data provide a basis for determining nutrient intake of captive insectivores, and will aid in the development of gut‐loading diets to provide captive insectivorous animals with appropriate levels of necessary nutrients. Zoo Biol 21:269–285, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Evaluation of three formulations of Beauveria bassiana for control of lesser mealworm and hide beetle in Georgia poultry houses

Initial screening of 12 Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin isolates against larvae of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus [Panzer]) resulted in the selection of two isolates, GHA and 707, for further testing under field conditions. Three formulations of each strain were prepared: an EC, a ground corn granular formulation, and waste product of fungal propagation containing spent media, mycelia, and unharvested conidia ("residue" formulation). Two field trials were conducted in commercial caged-layer houses in Georgia with 5-6 mo of manure accumulation and established populations of A. diaperinus and hide beetles (Dermestes maculatus DeGeer). In the first trial field, B. bassiana was applied a single time to the manure surface at either 10(9) (EC and granular cornmeal bait formulations) or 10(8) (residue formulation) fungal spores per square meter. In the second trial, two successive weekly treatments were applied, using a total of 6x the rate of application used in the first trial, Significant treatment effects were short-lived and only detected 2 wk after treatment in both trials. The granular formulations of both strains and the residue formulation of the GHA strain provided the greatest degree of suppression (60-90%) of beetle larvae. A laboratory bioassay confirmed that the granular bait was the most effective formulation. More frequent applications made earlier in the manure accumulation cycle may be necessary to achieve satisfactory control of these beetles.     

Potential of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) as a bioassay probe for Metarhizium brunneum (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) activity against Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae)

The yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L., has been used to indicate qualitatively the presence of entomopathogenic fungi in the soil or as a model for evaluating stress and other factors on fungal activity. Although this beetle appears highly susceptible to many of these fungi, little quantitative information is available on the sensitivity of T. molitor to a specific fungus and, therefore, fungal presence or as an indicator for pathogenicity to other species. The purpose of this study was to establish the suitability of T. molitor larvae as a bioassay probe for Metarhizium brunneum for comparison against the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. Nine concentrations of M. brunneum strain F52 ranging from 1.0 x 10(1) to 8.4 x 10(8) conidial/ml were simultaneously tested against T. molitor larvae and I. scapularis adults. Larvae of yellow mealworm were less sensitive to M. brunneum than I. scapularis adults (LC50's 4.4 x 10(7) and 1.7 x 10(5) conidia/ml, respectively, 4-wk post-treatment). The greater sensitivity of I. scapularis to the fungus suggests that the detection of fungal mycosis in mealworms would indicate sufficient inoculum to be pathogenic to I. scapularis and make this insect a suitable probe for evaluation of the presence and activity of M. brunneum against the blacklegged tick in field applications.     

Potential of yellow sticky traps for lady beetle survey in cotton

A 2-yr study was conducted to investigate the potential of using yellow sticky traps to survey lady beetles in cotton and to quantify seasonal activity patterns. The performance of sticky traps was compared with that of a 2-cycle vacuum sampler. The most common lady beetle species captured by sticky traps and vacuum sampler in cotton were Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville and Scymnus loewii Mulsant. Sticky traps captured significantly more of both species of lady beetles, had greater capture efficiency, and more effectively detected lady beetles compared with the vacuum sampler. These data indicate that the sticky trap can be a valuable tool in monitoring lady beetle populations in cotton. In the second part of this study, a year-round survey of lady beetle populations in the periphery of a cotton farm using sticky traps showed that lady beetles remained active throughout the year in the Texas Rolling Plains, but the activity was influenced by winter severity. Over a 2-yr period, H. convergens, S. loewii, Coccinella septempunctata (L.), and Olla v-nigrum (Mulsant) comprised 89.6, 8.2, 1.9, and 0.3% of the specimens, respectively. Sticky trap captures were affected by year, trap height, and cropping season. Traps placed at 0.75 m above ground captured significantly more (80%) lady beetles than traps placed at 1.50 m (20%) above ground; traps at 0.75 m above ground also detected the rarer species while the traps at 1.50 m above ground detected only the abundant species. Trap captures were higher during the noncotton season (November to April) compared with the cotton season (May to October). A significant positive correlation between cotton aphid abundance during the growing season and H. convergens abundance during the following noncotton season was also detected, indicating a significant movement of H. convergens from cotton to the periphery of the farm to seek refuge after cotton termination.     

Terpenoid lactones with the p-menthane system as feeding deterrents to the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus

The application of antifeedants, often in combination with other methods within integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, has proven to be a good way to control insect pests. Little is known about compounds that have antifeedant activity against the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The antifeedant properties of optically pure isomers of pulegone and isopulegol and some enantiomeric pairs of bicyclic terpenoid lactones with the p -menthane system, derived from these isomeric starting compounds, were studied in choice and no-choice tests with the lesser mealworm. The original monoterpenes and γ-spirolactones were weak feeding deterrents to larvae and adults of A. diaperinus . The δ-hydroxy-γ-spirolactones showed significant activity against adults, but substituting the hydroxy group with a ketone group considerably reduced the deterrent activity of the resulting δ-keto-γ-spirolactones. The bicyclic γ-hydroxy-δ-lactones with condensed rings and with the (1 S ,6 R ,8 R )-(+) and (1 R ,6 S ,8 S )-(–) configuration of the chiral centres, and δ-hydroxy-γ-lactone (1 S ,4 S ,6 S )-(+) were very strong antifeedants to both larvae and adults. The hydroxy groups and the configuration of the chiral centres of the molecules were very important features for determining the antifeedant activity of the lactones tested. Generally, the compounds studied were better antifeedants to adults than to larvae.     

A comparison of the nitrogen requirements of the eastern pygmy possum, Cercartetus nanus, on a pollen and on a mealworm diet

The eastern pygmy possum, Cercartetus nanus, is known to feed both on flower products and on invertebrates. This study compares its ability to meet its nitrogen requirements on pollen and on insect larvae. Captive C. nanus were fed diets in which nitrogen was provided either by Eucalyptus pollen or by the mealworm Tenebrio molitor. The apparent digestibility of the nitrogen from both sources was high, with a mean value of 76% for the pollen and 73% for the mealworms. This was much higher than would have been inferred from the common practice of measuring the percentage of empty pollen grains in fecal samples. The truly digestible maintenance nitrogen requirements of C. nanus on pollen were exceptionally low: 2.6 mg N d-1 compared with 9.5 mg N d-1 on mealworms. The value for pollen is the lowest yet recorded for any mammal. The difference between the requirements of C. nanus on the two diets appeared to be related to the composition of the mealworm and pollen protein. The biological value of the pollen nitrogen was exceptionally high for a plant protein, at 72%, whereas the biological value of the mealworm nitrogen was only 42%. This suggests that the amino acid composition of the pollen corresponded more closely to the requirements of C. nanus than the composition of the mealworm protein did. Pollen is an excellent source of nitrogen for C. nanus, and it should be considered as a potential nitrogen source for other flower-feeding animals.     

Progression in field infestation is linked with trapping of coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Col., Scolytidae)

Phenology of the coffee plant and infestation by coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari were studied in relation to trapping of adult females in kairomone-baited traps in a coffee plantation in New Caledonia. In a 0.4 ha coffee field, a group of 27 trees located along a transect beginning at an early infestation point was selected. The number of green, red and dry coffee berries, along with the number of larvae, adult males and females per berry was determined monthly from October 1993 to July 1994. Twelve, red multifunnel traps, each baited with a solution of methanol:ethanol (1:1 ratio, a mean solution release rate of 1 g/day) were placed within the coffee field, along the transect, within the selected trees, grouped in four zones named 1–4. Two additional traps were located outside the plantation.
The proportion of infested berries increased as berry maturity and harvest date approached, while the infestation rate decreased with distance from the epicentre. Over the 10 months of the study, beetle populations increased and spread from the original infestation point across the different zones, according to distance and availability of berries or appropriate physiological status. Traps near the epicentre caught the largest numbers of beetles. Linear relationship between trap catch and infestation level was demonstrated. Traps placed outside the field approached zero catch. Trap catch was highly influenced by rainfall events, and the highest captures coincided with rapidly declining berry numbers on trees. There are good prospects for management of this insect using traps.