The Lesser Mealworm Beetle (Alphitobius diaperinus) as an Intermediate Host for Poultry Tapeworm Raillietina cesticillus

Abstract

Tapeworms are a widespread and recurrent problem in intensive chicken rearing and are transmitted by various types of invertebrate hosts dwelling in poultry litter.  The mealworm beetle, Alphitobius diaperinus is the major pest in poultry litter and acts as an intermediate host for poultry tapeworms. Beetles collected from a poultry farm with suspected tapeworm infection were examined for the presence of the metacestode stage of the parasite. A total of 713 beetles were collected to study the vector potentiality. Out of these, 208 beetles (29.17%) were found to harbor cysticercoids of Railietina cesticillus. The percentage of cysticercoid infection in beetles was 33.42 and 24.78% respectively in two different surveys in a year. The beetles harboring the cysticercoids were identified as Alphitobius diaperinus, which may be a natural intermediate host for poultry tapeworm, Railietina cesticillus. The results of this study will help to formulate suitable control measures against the lesser mealworm beetles.