Journal of Economic Entomology (2001) 94, 1610-1616

Christopher J. Geden and David A. Carlson (2001)
Mechanical barrier for preventing climbing by lesser mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and hide beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) larvae in poultry houses
Journal of Economic Entomology 94 (6), 1610-1616
Abstract: Mechanical barriers consisting of bands of polyethylene terepthalate resin attached to wooden posts by latex caulk adhesive and staples were 100% effective in preventing passage of dispersing lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), larvae in the laboratory. Barriers continued to be 100% effective after being held in a caged layer poultry house for 3 mo. Polyethylene terepthalate barriers installed on support posts in a pullet house in Brooker, FL, were >92% effective against natural populations of lesser mealworm larvae 6 mo after installation. The barriers also were >94% effective against natural populations of larvae of the hide beetle, Dermestes maculatus DeGeer, when fly populations were low. Fecal spot depositions by house flies in excess of 31 cumulative fly spots per square centimeter on spot cards reduced the effectiveness of the barriers to 79–90%, and barrier efficacy was reduced to 40–56% when fly spots covered >80% of the surface of the plastic. Washing the barriers with water to remove fly spots restored their effectiveness against hide beetle larvae to >99%.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Christopher J. Geden, David A. Carlson

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Dermestes maculatus
	Alphitobius diaperinus