Reservoir Competence of Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) for Escherichia coli (Eubacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae)

Abstract

Larval and adult lesser mealworms, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), were found to harbor a Congo red-binding strain of Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani & Chalmers both on the external surface of their body and internally for 12 d. Thereafter, E. coli was not detected, even though the beetles were exposed continuously to a food source inoculated with the bacteria. Lesser mealworm larvae and adults discharge E. coli bacteria in their feces for up to 6 and 10 d, respectively. However, bacteria were no longer detected in their feces after larvae underwent a single molt to the next larval stage. This indicated there was no transstadial transmission of this strain of E. coli. Consumed infected larvae were found to cause more 1-d-old chicks to have positive cloacal swabs for Congo red-binding E. coli than consumed infected adults. The data indicated that the lesser mealworm may play a role in the direct transmission of E. coli and contribute to the spread of this bacteria in broiler production systems. This may be achieved by beetles being directly consumed by chickens or indirectly by spread of the bacteria throughout the broiler house by lesser mealworm feces.

Darkling Beetles ( Alphitobius diaperinus ) and Their Larvae as Potential Vectors for the Transfer of Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella enterica Serovar Paratyphi B Variant Java between Successive Broiler Flocks

“…Insects like flies, beetles, and larvae are some of the potential sources, as these animals are reported to be frequent carriers of pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella, and Campylobacter around the world, especially near animal-rearing facilities (3,13,14,25,26,27,29,36,42). The insects that frequently occur in poultry houses include Alphitobius diaperinus, the darkling beetle, and its larvae, the lesser mealworm (19,30,34).…”

Growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Bruised Apple ( Malus domestica ) Tissue as Influenced by Cultivar, Date of Harvest, and Source

“…Cattle, sheep, deer, birds, and many other animals can serve as reservoirs for this microbe (4,9,17,24,26,28). Insects such as the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer) and the house fly (Musca domestica) have also been shown to carry this pathogen (15,21). Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster Meigen) have recently been shown to have the potential to transmit this microbe to apples (16).…”

Mechanical Barrier for Preventing Climbing by Lesser Mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Hide Beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) Larvae in Poultry Houses

“…A. diaperinus is a reservoir of numerous avian pathogens, including Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, tapeworms, enteric viruses, and avian leukosis virus (Avancini and Ueta;1990, Axtell andArends 1990;Despins et al 1994;McAllister et al 1994McAllister et al , 1996. Little is known of the reservoir competence of the hide beetle.…”