Abstract
Global poultry production is plagued by a wide variety of arthropods. The problems associated with their chemical control have led to an increasing search for control alternatives, and entomopathogenic fungi seem to be a promising strategy. Despite the large number of insects and mites considered as important pests in animal production, studies on the use of entomopathogenic fungi for their control are still scarce compared with agricultural pests, particularly in Brazil. This article reviews some damages and control aspects of the main arthropod pests that affect Brazilian poultry production, including house flies, lesser mealworms, and feather mites, by the use of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. Studies published in the last 20 years were reviewed, and the main problems and limitations of that pest-control strategy are discussed.
Highlights
Insects and mites are commonly present in animal production environments
Intensive animal production is characterized by housing a large number of individuals in a relatively small area, permanent production of organic waste, and by the presence of shelter and adequate temperature, luminosity, and humidity conditions, providing a favorable environment for an exponential growth of arthropod populations (Axtell & Arends, 1990; Axtell, 1999)
Many arthropod pests affect meat and egg poultry production, in particular (Hinton & Moon, 2003). They are found in the excreta accumulated underneath layer cages, in broiler house litter (Axtell & Arends, 1990), on the birds’ body surface and feathers, in cracks and gaps in the facilities, or galleries built by the arthropods themselves in the poultry houses
Summary
Insects and mites are commonly present in animal production environments. Intensive animal production is characterized by housing a large number of individuals in a relatively small area, permanent production of organic waste (derived from feed and manure), and by the presence of shelter and adequate temperature, luminosity, and humidity conditions, providing a favorable environment for an exponential growth of arthropod populations (Axtell & Arends, 1990; Axtell, 1999). Characterization and damages caused by house flies, lesser mealworms, and hematophagous mites These pests cause damage as ectoparasites, stress birds, and are vectors of several pathological agents (Axtell & Arends 1990; Hazeleger et al, 2008; Omalu et al, 2011). The mite O. sylviarum, commonly called northern fowl mite, occurs in all temperate regions of the world and it is a serious pest in commercial layer production (Soares et al, 2008) They have a short life cycle, of up to five days, which is completed on the host (Rassette et al, 2011), and does not require direct contact among birds to disseminate (Mullens et al, 2001). These indirect losses are difficult to measure, and these pests, even when present at low levels in the facilities, may harbor pathogens than can be transmitted to the following flocks, despite the constant use of disinfectants, antibiotics, and vaccines
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
