Bacteria and Fungi within the Lesser Mealworm 1 Collected from Poultry Brooder Houses 2

Abstract

During 1968 and 1969, adult Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) were collected from turkey-brooder houses in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota and were analyzed for bacteria and fungi. The lesser mealworms were surface disinfected, macerated, and cultured on different media; the choice depended upon experimental objectives. A wide range in the number of microorganisms was found within individual insects. Some harbored several thousand colonies, whereas others were comparatively clean. Micrococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and the Bacillus subtilis Cohn group were the most common gram-positive bacteria. Emphasis was given to gram-negative bacteria, especially those belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae group. Escherichia intermedia Werkman & Gillen was isolated from a relatively high percent of the insects. Salmonella saint paul Kauffman-White occurred only in 3% of the insects, and this was from just 1 locality. Aspergillus flavus Link was the predominant fungus in the lesser mealworm, and an average of 25% was positive. Other species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and the filamentous yeastlike fungi Candida, also were present but in relatively low numbers.