Field Trials of Steinernema feltiae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) for Control of Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in Commercial Broiler and Turkey Houses

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Abstract
Infective juveniles of the All strain of Steinernema feltiae Filipjev were applied (100,000 per square meter) to the soil floors of one broiler and two turkey houses with known recent histories of infestation with lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer). After addition of fresh litter and new flocks of birds, beetle populations increased more slowly in treated than in untreated houses on all three farms, but at 10–13 weeks posttreatment adult beetle populations were about equal in treated and untreated houses. Soil samples were bioassayed biweekly for presence of nematodes by adding beetle larvae. Nematodes persisted (63–87% beetle mortality) for 7 weeks posttreatment on two of the farms; on the third farm, beetle mortality was < 50% at 3 weeks posttreatment. When soil in plastic containers was treated at varying nematode rates and held for 6 months in a poultry house, beetle mortality ranged from 0 (103 nematodes per square meter) to 48.2% (105 nematodes per square meter).

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