Alphitobius

Stephens, 1829

Species Guides

Alphitobius diaperinus(lesser mealworm)
Alphitobius laevigatus(Black Fungus Beetle)

Alphitobius is a of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) containing approximately 16–18 described . The genus is best known for Alphitobius diaperinus, commonly called the lesser mealworm, which has evolved as a nest of birds and has become a major pest in broiler chicken production. Species in this genus are highly adaptable scavengers capable of thriving on minimal food and water resources.

Alphitobius laevigatus by (c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by portioid. Used under a CC-BY license.

Alphitobius by no rights reserved, uploaded by Matthew Wilkinson. Used under a CC0 license.

Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer, 1797) (32514044020) by Udo Schmidt from Deutschland. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Alphitobius: //ælˈfɪtoʊˌbaɪəs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Habitat

Natural include bird nests, bat caves, and similar sheltered environments with organic debris. Anthropogenic habitats include broiler chicken houses, stored grain facilities, and animal feed production sites. In poultry houses, aggregate beneath feed trays, packed litter, and other sheltering objects.

Distribution

Records from Colombia, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden; likely in distribution due to association with stored products and poultry agriculture.

Diet

scavengers feeding on , shed skin, feathers, spilled feed, and other organic debris. In captivity, has been observed to consume diverse materials including fruits and meat.

Life Cycle

Complete with , larval, pupal, and stages. Individuals grow and pupate rapidly, with adults constituting the majority of the lifespan. Females reproduce repeatedly throughout life, enabling rapid increase.

Behavior

Aggregates beneath sheltering structures such as feed trays and packed litter. Capable of burrowing through substrate to pupate. Exceptionally adapted to low food and water availability.

Ecological Role

Nest in natural settings; in anthropogenic environments, serves as a and for avian including Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Marek's virus, and turkey coronavirus.

Human Relevance

Major pest in broiler chicken production, where can exceed 30 million individuals per house. Causes economic losses through insulation damage, reduced chicken feed , and transmission. Larvae marketed as food insects (buffalo worms) for human consumption. Rare cause of gastrointestinal canthariasis in humans through accidental ingestion.

More Details

Pest Management Challenges

Control in poultry houses is difficult due to restricted use periods between 6-week flock cycles. Windrowing—mounding litter to achieve temperatures exceeding 54°C through microbial activity—is one employed strategy. No has been established for this pest.