ABSTRACT
The lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), an important pest of poultry houses, reproduces especially under the chicken feeders, taking advantage of the litter as well as the chicken food dropped from the feeders. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis indica against larva and adults of this insect by its application on the litter under the feeders in the poultry house, and on the soil ground below the litter. Infective juveniles were applied at the rate of 0.4; 4.0 and 40 nematodes per cm2 on the litter and on the compacted-soil floor. For the test under the feeders, 12 days after the application the nematode provided 94%, 97% and 100% control of larva, respectively, and 70%, 77% and 89% of adults, respectively. Concerning the test on the soil, the nematode provided 15%, 31% and 35% control, respectively.
KEY WORDS
Biological control; poultry farm; lesser mealworm; entomopathogenic nematodes
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