The larvae are more likely to leave the litter if they are very crowded. At this point, they may tunnel into polystyrene insulation materials or even wooden beams and supports. Structural damage occurs when the larvae leave the litter to find a dry spot in which to pupate and change to the adult stage.Both adults and larvae are more active at night than during the day so large numbers may be present before the producer is aware of a problem. Food for these scavengers is plentiful so they only need some moisture from waterers or leaky pipes to thrive. Problems with this insect result from the gradual buildup of large numbers in broiler house litter. They are one of the best-adapted scavenger insects associated with both litter-based broiler operations and egg houses with deep-pit manure management systems. The adults and larvae can be found in floor litter where they feed on poultry feed, dried bird droppings, and bird carcasses. When full grown, the larvae are 1/2 to 3/4 inch long. The light yellow to brown larval stage has a hard, cylindrical body like that of a wireworm. University of Kentucky College of AgricultureĪdult lesser mealworm adults are 1/2 inch long dark brown to black insects that also are sometimes called darkling beetles. ENTFACT-507: Lesser Mealworms or Litter Beetles | Download PDF by Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist
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