Search

Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), commonly known as the 'lesser mealworm', a major insect pest in the poultry industry and a premise pest in grain storage is of importance as an avian disease vector due to its capability of transmitting avian diseases. The present work reports presence of A. diaperinus in poultry manure and poultry houses in south India. Review reveals development of insecticide resistance and bioaccumulation of insecticide residue in poultry meat in addition to the health hazards that makes control with insecticides undesirable. Our analysis revealed that keeping the litter in open areas in agricultural fields did not lead to death of the beetle instead it serves as a potential source of dispersal and re-infestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]