Tenebrionidae

Turienzo, Paola & Iorio, Osvaldo Di, 2008, Insects found in birds’ nests from Argentina: Anumbius annumbi (Vieillot, 1817) (Aves: Furnariidae), Zootaxa 1871, pp. 1-55 : 40-41

Tenebrionidae

Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer)

This darkling beetle is a common cosmopolitan insect pest of poultry houses, particularly in broiler sheds. All stages of the pest can act either as reservoirs or external carriers of eight serious avian/poultry diseases including Newcastle and Mareks disease, and fowl pox, and can also act as intermediate hosts for tapeworms and protozoans. The species is believed to have originated in tropical east Africa. It occurs naturally in bird and bat nests where it feeds on droppings and animal parts such as feathers and carcasses. Because of its natural association with animals, in particular birds, this tropical species is well suited to the warm humid conditions that occur in heated or insulated poultry and other intensive livestock houses. The beetle is also known to be a pest of animal feed within these systems ( Lambkin 2001).

A. diaperinus was the second most abundant species in poultry farms from Brazil, present in all months of a year, but more common in March and less abundant in November ( Bicho et al. 2005). Recently, the beetle was abundant in the nests of cavity nesting birds in Slovakia ( Šustek & Krištofik 2002, 2003), and in nests of Falco cherrug (Gray, 1834) [Aves: Falconiidae] from Hungary ( Merkl et al. 2004). Although rare in nests of A. annumbi ( Tables 2, 4 ), its presence in birds’ nests from Argentina constitutes a new record. This may be a recent colonization at this last habitat, a likely migrant from poultry houses.

Calymnus cucullatus (Lacordaire)

Recorded from Misiones: Bonpland; San Ignacio; Salta (without locality), Tucumán: Famaillá, and Córdoba: Alta Gracia (specimens at the MACN); Santiago del Estero: Trinidad, I-1996, D. Vezzani leg., 1 ex. (ODI); Entre Ríos: Federación, Zubaran leg., 24-VIII-2004, 1 ex. (GZSM), 22-I-2005, 1 ex. (GZSM). The species was found in only one nest from Santa Fe ( Table 2), new province record. Life history unknown.

Phobelius semigranosus Fairmaire

Blackwelder (1945) lists nine species in the genus. Two are known from Argentina: P. semigranosus Fairmaire , and P. vianai Pic. Comparing the specimens found in the nests of A. annumbi ( Table 1 ) with P. vianai [ Argentina: Entre Ríos: [without locality], 3-XI-1931, Bridarolli leg., 1 ex. (ODI), “ Phobelius / vianai Pic / det. H.J. Molinari”], P. semigranosus [ Argentina: “Rep. Argentina / Prov. Tucumán / 9.II.1904 / C. Bruch” printed on white cardboard, date handwritted, “ Typus ” printed on pale green paper, “ Phobelius / semigranosus / Fairm.” handwritten by Bruch inside a red frame, “ Phobelius / semigranosus Fm. Tucum. ” handwritten by Fairmaire, 1 ex. (CBBA); Buenos Aires: San Miguel, 3-II-1932, Williner leg., 1 ex. (ODI), “ Phobelius / semigranosus / Fairm. / det. H.J. Molinari”], and P. crenatus (Blanchard) [1 ex. (CBBA)], specimens from nests of A. annumbi were clearly P. semigranosus .

P. semigranosus is known from Tucumán ( Bruch 1913; Bucher 1974), and Buenos Aires ( Bruch 1913; Cicchino & Saini 2006). Correa et al. (1963) cited Phobelius sp. from Brazil: São Paulo: Municipio de Cássia dos Coqueiros, bairro da Carqueja, 1 ex. in 1 of 16 examined nests of A. annumbi . Observations on the habitat of P. semigranosus were given by Bucher (1974), who cited this species in birds´nests (apparently Myiopsitta monacha cotorra ) from Tucumán; and by Cicchino & Saini (2006), who mention Phobelius sp. [ semigranosus ] in nests of A. annumbi from Buenos Aires.

Adults appear in nests of A. annumbi practically all year, during autumn (4 of 6 nests), winter (6 of 7 nests) (although nest # 10 was negative for all insects), spring (2 of 4 nests), and summer (2 of 4 nests) ( Table 2). Except for the nest from Entre Ríos, which was probably uninhabited at the time, P. semigranosus was present in the two nests of 1992 and in 2 of 3 nests from Santa Fe ( Table 2). In Santa Fe province it appears also constantly in other birds´nests [ Phacellodonus ruber ; Myiopsitta monacha cotorra ].

The larvae build a fragile cocoon with very thin walls for pupation. Material of the cocoon is unknown. Although this cocoon was found in a nest of another bird ( Phacellodomus ruber ), it is cited here because this behavioral character of a Tenebrionidae was hitherto unknown ( Watt 1974).