The Beetles (Coleoptera) dangerous for Japanese quail Coturnix japonica Temminck et Schlegel, 1849 (Phasanidae) at farms

Abstract

Reproduction of the Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica Temminck et Schlegel, 1849, at private farms has led to the formation of a complex of insects harming this species of birds. Darkling beetles Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer, 1796) and A. laevigatus (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) are the main pests of Japanese quail. Alphitobius diaperinus had already been recorded causing damage to the poultry industry in Crimea. Its larvae and adults attack chicks in the mass. Significant cannibalism is recorded for A. laevigatus in laboratory conditions. We suppose that complex of harmful insects will be added by species of the genus Ulomoides Blackburn, 1888, namely U. dermestoides (Chevrolat, 1878) imported into Ukraine. Properties of the adopted wreckers, providing their invulnerability in poultry houses, are first shown, namely: mass breeding of A. diaperinus due to feeding on other birds, ability of females of U. dermestoides to oviposit eggs during 1,5 month after the singular copulation, duration of the larval stage up to 96–110 days (usually one month long) due to a cannibalism only. The features of development and behavior of U. dermestoides are shown resembling these of A. diaperinus. The results of studies on the lifecycle’ peculiarities carried out at 2012–2019 under the laboratory conditions are given. The practical role of A. diaperinus, A. laevigatus and U. dermestoides is discussed. The forecast regarding the negative impact of U. dermestoides on the aviculture development in the Southern Ukraine is presented. The data on the poisoning of birds (C. japonica) with beetles of bean weevil Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say, 1831) (Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) are shown. Present contribution is beneficial not only for specialists in fundamental research, but also for practitioners, in particular for personnel of State Veterinary and Plant Health as well as the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service. First worked out and recommended a production trap for a fishing-out in the poultry houses of harmfuls beetles and their larvae at the presence of birds.