The growth in poultry production because of the high market's demand causes an increase in the confinement raising, which increases the density of birds in poultry houses. As a result of this function, there is moisture increase in broiler litter, both from the excreta and drinkers, which favors the growth of the coleopterons Alphitobius diaperinus, popularly known as darkling beetle. The direct contact of the insects with the broiler litter as well as their feeding from dead and sick broilers make the A. diaperinus a vehicle for various pathogens, especially bacteria, protozoa and viruses. Besides the relationship with the pathogens, the darkling beetle can cause damage to poultry house, because at the larva stage they tent to burrow in to the insulating material and destroying the protection of polyurethane used for thermal insulation of poultry houses in countries with cold climate, which have to be changed every two or three years. Another harming factor to the broilers is the replacement of theirs balanced diet for larvae and adults of coleopterons, which affect the weight gain, mainly within younger individuals. Due to this factor, the presence of darkling beetle in poultry installations becomes a health as well as financial problem. The control of A. diaperinus is regarded as difficult and the use of chemical insecticides is common in poultry raising, even though it has disadvantages because it leaves residue in the carcass and in the environment. The presence of high amount of organic matter in poultry causes the decrease of the effectiveness of chemical insecticides. Several studies have been developed in research for alternatives, such as nematodes, fungi entomopathogenics, but they are not yet available commercially. Another line of research is the use of diatomaceous earth, an inert and non toxic powder which leaves no residues in chicken meat or in the environment.
diatomaceous earth; entomopathogenic fungi; lesser mealworm; nematode