Beauveria Bassiana Applied to Broiler Chicken Houses as Biocontrol of Alphitobius Diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), an Avian Pathogens Vector

Abstract

Beauveria bassiana is naturally found in broiler chicken houses, and has been shown to be active against the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus. The effectiveness of soil application of B. bassiana in emulsifiable oil-type formulation (Unioeste 4 isolate) to control the lesser mealworm in commercial poultry house was evaluated. The fungus was applied to the dirt floor of poultry house at 4.2 × 10 9 conidia/m 2 (treated aviary) and the insect population was assessed before and 96, 146 and 216 days after application (DAA). In the control aviary, no treatment was performed to control those insects. Molecular techniques were used to confirm the presence of the fungus in dead A. diaperinus. Significant treatment effects were observed, with 56% and 73% of insect population reduction on 96 and 146 DAA, respectively. However, on 216 DDA, insect population resumed to values close to those initially observed. In the control aviary, the population grew steadily, reaching almost 110% the initial population on 96 DAA, and close to 200% on 216 DDA. The results demonstrate the potential of the applied control strategy, even with a single application of the fungus; however, reapplications may be required after 3-6 months for more effective control.

In vitro assay and morphological characterization of a new product based on diatomaceous earth for lesser mealworm control in poultry houses

“…Additionally, the emergence of resistant insect populations can occur (GARG et al, 2004;UEMURA et al, 2008;CHERNAKI et al, 2011). Studies with entomopathogenic fungi (ROHDE et al, 2006;ALVES et al, 2015), insecticidal plants (MARCOMINI et al, 2009;ALVES et al, 2012) and inert powders (SANTORO et al, 2010;ALVES et al, 2012) have shown them to be potential alternatives for insect control. Among the latter, highlight is given to diatomaceous earth (DE).…”

Development of pull and push–pull systems for management of lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus, in poultry houses using alarm and aggregation pheromones

“…However, fungi could be applied either as a powder or as a fat formulation in pheromone traps, with the pathogen being protected from the litter fungicide, and the insects being brought into contact with the pathogen in the pheromone traps. [46][47][48][49][50] In conclusion, our results suggest that alarm and aggregation pheromones can be deployed under poultry house conditions to trap significant numbers of adult A. diaperinus. Further long-term studies are underway to determine whether pheromone deployment can be combined with suitable entomopathogenic fungi to maintain A. diaperinus populations at low levels over time, and to evaluate the potential for using these components as part of an integrated A. diaperinus management strategy.…”

“…We believe that this combined approach has the potential to be used for A. diaperinus management. However, fungi could be applied either as a powder or as a fat formulation in pheromone traps, with the pathogen being protected from the litter fungicide, and the insects being brought into contact with the pathogen in the pheromone traps …”

Pseudomonas putida as a potential biocontrol agent against Salmonella Java biofilm formation in the drinking water system of broiler houses

“…Studies have already been performed in primary animal and plant production, food industry and even in hospitals (Zhao et al, 2006;Vandini et al, 2014;Luyckx et al, 2016;Bosmans et al, 2017;Hossain et al, 2017;Zheng et al, 2018). However, the possibility to use biocontrol agents against persistent pathogenic strains in the broiler environment has received only limited attention (Alves et al, 2015). In this research, a realistic in vitro model for bio lm formation on the inside of the DWS was developed and validated.…”