@article{despins_axtell_1995, title={FEEDING-BEHAVIOR AND GROWTH OF BROILER CHICKS FED LARVAE OF THE DARKLING BEETLE, ALPHITOBIUS-DIAPERINUS}, volume={74}, ISSN={["0032-5791"]}, DOI={10.3382/ps.0740331}, abstractNote={Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding larvae of the darkling beetle (lesser mealworm), Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to broiler chicks on chick growth. Chicks readily fed on the larvae and exhibited reduced growth in the absence of other feed. Chicks 3 to 8 d old restricted to a diet of only larvae consumed 1,552 +/- 172 (mean +/- SD) larvae per chick per day and their body weights were significantly less (mean = 84 g) at the end of the 6 d than for chicks on starter feed during the same time. After return to starter feed for 8 d after feeding on larvae for 6 d, the chicks did not compensate for the reduced weight and their body weights were significantly less (mean = 170 g) than for chicks on starter feed for the 14 d. Chicks from age 2 through 9 d were given a choice between broiler starter feed and darkling beetle larvae. The numbers (mean +/- SD) of larvae consumed per chick per day were: 389 +/- 18, 631 +/- 14, 496 +/- 20, and 287 +/- 33, for Days 2 to 3, 4 to 5, 6 to 7, and 8 to 9, respectively. The body weight of chicks feeding on starter feed and larvae was significantly greater than the weight of chicks consuming feed only. In the presence of larvae, the mean feed consumption per chick was less than for chicks provided with only starter feed. The beetle larvae were 68% crude protein and 21% fat (DM basis) and had higher amounts of 18 amino acids than the starter feed.}, number={2}, journal={POULTRY SCIENCE}, author={DESPINS, JL and AXTELL, RC}, year={1995}, month={Feb}, pages={331–336} }
 @article{despins_axtell_1994, title={FEEDING-BEHAVIOR AND GROWTH OF TURKEY POULTS FED LARVAE OF THE DARKLING BEETLE, ALPHITOBIUS-DIAPERINUS}, volume={73}, ISSN={["0032-5791"]}, DOI={10.3382/ps.0731526}, abstractNote={Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding larvae of the darkling beetle (lesser mealworm), Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) [Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae], to turkey poults on poult growth and of beak trimming on poult feeding on the larvae. Young turkey poults readily fed on the larvae and exhibited reduced growth in the absence of other feed. Poults 3 to 5 d old restricted to a diet of only larvae consumed 259 +/- 99 (+/- SD) larvae per poult per day and their body weights were significantly lower (mean = 30 g) at the end of the 3 d than for poults on starter feed during the same time. After return to starter feed for 16 d after feeding on larvae for 3 d, the poults did not compensate for the weight loss although weight gains were normal. Poults from 2 through 10 d of age were given a choice between starter turkey feed and darkling beetle larvae. The numbers of larvae consumed per poult per day were: 174 +/- 8 for Days 2 to 4, 221 +/- 3 for Days 5 to 7, and 189 +/- 80 for Days 8 to 10. There was no significant difference between the body weight of poults feeding on larvae and starter feed compared with that of poults consuming feed only. In the presence of larvae, the mean feed consumption per poult was lower than for poults provided with only starter feed. The beetle larvae were 68% crude protein and 21% fat (DM basis) and had higher amounts of 18 amino acids than the starter feed. Poults that were beak trimmed consumed only about one-third as many larvae as poults with intact beaks. Poults (1 to 3 d old) with intact beaks consumed 169 +/- 20 larvae per poult per day; poults with trimmed beaks consumed 58 +/- 23 larvae per poult per day.}, number={10}, journal={POULTRY SCIENCE}, author={DESPINS, JL and AXTELL, RC}, year={1994}, month={Oct}, pages={1526–1533} }
 @article{despins_axtell_rives_guy_ficken_1994, title={Transmission of enteric pathogens of turkeys by darkling beetle larva (Alphitobius diaperinus)}, volume={3}, DOI={10.1093/japr/3.1.61}, abstractNote={Abstract Larvae of the darling beetle (lesser mealworm) were exposed to turkey feces from an enteritis-affected flock and determined to contain turkey enterovirus and rotavirus. Growth depression and increased mortality were observed in turkey poults which fed on the exposed larvae. Exposed larvae which had been surface-sterilized also produced clinical signs of enteritis after consumption by the poults, indicating that pathogens were able to survive within the larvae. This experiment demonstrated the capacity of the larva of the darkling beetle to serve as a mechanical vector for enteric pathogens of turkeys.}, journal={Journal of Applied Poultry Research}, author={Despins, J. L. and Axtell, R. C. and Rives, D. V. and Guy, James and Ficken, M. D.}, year={1994}, pages={61–65} }