Darkling Beetle

Order: Coleoptera
Family: Tenebrionidae

Darkling beetles, commonly called litter beetles, and their larvae, lesser mealworms, are major pests of the agricultural industry. Litter beetles exist in large populations and are considered invasive as they migrate from barns to nearby farms and residential areas. They are a significant pest of the poultry industry. Litter beetles will destroy poultry houses, carry pathogens that cause diseases such as Newcastle Disease and Salmonella, and reduce overall production through irritation to the bird. Darkling beetles undergo complete metamorphosis. Adults are dark reddish-brown to black and are about 1/4-inch long. Larvae are 3/4-inch long and yellow-brown in color. Pupae are 1/2-inch long and yellow-brown in color.