(1) In the past few years, litter beetles (especially the lesser mealworm [Alphitobius diaperinus]), have become the most serious pest affecting several types of poultry production systems.(2) The darkling beetle or lesser mealworm , Alphitobius diaperinus, is rapidly becoming more of a nuisance in the poultry operation.(3) During early research, they used cadavers of Tenebrio molitor, commonly known as the yellow mealworm , and Galleria mellonella, or greater wax moth.(4) They will readily accept human handouts of mealworms and bird grubs, often becoming so tame that they can be hand-fed.
