Alphitobius Diaperinus (Insect Pest) in Algerian Broiler House

Alphitobius diaperinus is one of the most predominant poultry litters inhabiting insect species all over the world. This insect has been shown to be able of transmitting a large variety of poultry pathogenic organisms (Newcastle virus, IBD virus, influenza virus, salmonella spp, clostridium perfergins and aspergillus spp). In this experience, we have studied the spatial distribution and the population fluctuation of Alphitobius diaperinus in a broiler house during a raising cycle (50 days) in Constantine district (North-East of Algeria).

The study was carried out between February and March 2008 in a naturally infested broiler houses located in Constantine district (North-East of Algeria). During the experimental period, population density was 3000 broiler chickens. No chemical treatment was used along the raising period and the litter consisted of wood shavings. Adults and larvae of Alphitobius diaperinus were sampled using the sandwich type traps consisting of wooden boxes of 20 cm of length, by 15 cm of width and 8 cm of height, with cover and two openings of 1 cm in the longitudinal direction, next to base of the box, to facilitate the entrance of the insects. At each sample location temperature and humidity of the litter were measured using a digital hygro-thermometer (Oregon Scientific, model ETHG913R). The correlation coefficient between insects trapped, temperature and humidity of the litter has been computed using Microsoft Excel 2003.

The total larvae trapped increased from 0 during the first week to reach 5360 by the fifth week, then decreased through week 6 and 7, whereas the average adults caught increased from week 1 to week 7. Larvae were more abundant in all of the samples. The environmental conditions within the poultry house allowed A. diaperinus to complete its life cycle during a breeding period. By the first week the insect population was concentrated in quarter of the facility surface, and then it spread through the half by week 3, 4, 5 and 6. By the seventh week, the population moved far from the southern side of the house. 70% of the population was concentrated in the edges of the breeding zone and 30% in its center. A. diaperinus population concentrated along the flock starting zone. This was not correlated to the poultry distribution, which was not uniform allover the poultry house (Tab1).

By the first week the insect population was concentrated in quarter the surface of the facility, and then it spread through the half by week 3, 4, 5 and 6. By the seventh week the population moved far from the southern side of the house. 70% of the population was concentrated in the edges of the breeding zone and 30% in its center. The poultryhouse with its structural and isolation elements represents an ideal environment to the darkling beetle.The earth floor provides an excellent medium where eggs can be deposited and last instar larvae tunnel and pupate. The facility sides made of reed and straw are ideal for pupating. Both earth floor and sides serve as refuges to larvae, pupae and adults during adverse climatic conditions or insecticide treatments. They hide there during the depopulation periods to emerge then by the starting of a new flock.

Lower densities are found in open locations and under drinkers while high densities occurred under feeders, support pillars and along the house edges. Adults, pupae and larvae are found in 10 Cm depth soil under feeders where its density, surface compactness and moisture contents are lower. Larvae preferred to remain in litter with 30 - 40% moisture then diffuse at 50 - 60%. The darkling beetles will migrate up the walls to avoid excessive wet litter and high population densities (Tab2)

A diaperinus easily develops in poultry houses especially when the atmospheres conditions are favorable. Further studies seem to be necessary to understand the biology and the behavior of this insect in poultry houses along the year and its susceptibility to insecticides must be evaluated. These data may help in the realization of a successful control program.