RESERVOIR COMPETENCE OF THE LESSER MEALWORM (COLEOPTERA, TENEBRIONIDAE) FOR SALMONELLA-TYPHIMURIUM (EUBACTERIALES, ENTEROBACTERIACEAE)

The reservoir competence of the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinu s (Panzer) is reported for Salmonella typhimurium (Loeffler) relative to broiler chicken production. Salmonella typhimurium was isolated fro m feces of the adult lesser mealworm at least 28 d after feeding for 2 4 h on 1 g of chicken feed inoculated with 3 x 10(8) bacteria/ml. All larvae fed S. typhimurium ceased voiding the bacteria in their feces b efore pupal molt, except one. One beetle continued to void S. typhimur ium after it emerged as an adult, providing evidence that transstadial transmission of S. typhimurium may occur. The bacteria were found bot h on the external body surface and inside the body of surface-steriliz ed adults and larvae during 16 d of exposure. Salmonella-positive cloa cal swabs were obtained from 1-day-old broiler chicks within 24 h afte r eating one infected lesser mealworm adult or larva.