Abstract
Beauveria bassiana is naturally found in broiler chicken houses, and has been shown to be active against the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus. The effectiveness of soil application of B. bassiana in emulsifiable oil-type formulation (Unioeste 4 isolate) to control the lesser mealworm in commercial poultry house was evaluated. The fungus was applied to the dirt floor of poultry house at 4.2 × 109 conidia/m2 (treated aviary) and the insect population was assessed before and 96, 146 and 216 days after application (DAA). In the control aviary, no treatment was performed to control those insects. Molecular techniques were used to confirm the presence of the fungus in dead A. diaperinus. Significant treatment effects were observed, with 56% and 73% of insect population reduction on 96 and 146 DAA, respectively. However, on 216 DDA, insect population resumed to values close to those initially observed. In the control aviary, the population grew steadily, reaching almost 110% the initial population on 96 DAA, and close to 200% on 216 DDA. The results demonstrate the potential of the applied control strategy, even with a single application of the fungus; however, reapplications may be required after 3-6 months for more effective control.
Highlights
The lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a ubiquitous and significant insect pest in commercial poultry house litter
The control of A. diaperinus is based on poultry house management practices and chemical insecticides, mainly pyrethroids, which are applied to the internal surfaces of the facilities and poultry litter (Bellaver et al, 2003; Lambkin et al 2012)
The results suggest that poultry house management and replacement of the poultry litter did not provide protection against A. diaperinus since no decrease in the insect population was observed in the control aviary
Summary
The lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a ubiquitous and significant insect pest in commercial poultry house litter. Previous studies showed that application of a B. bassiana emulsifiable oil formulation to poultry litter caused only 40% mortality of lesser mealworm adults (Crawford et al, 1998).
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