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Description
Carcinops
2-3mm long
Order: Coleoptera (‘sheath wings’)
Characteristics:
Forewings hard and leathery, meeting along
mid-line of dorsal surface; hind- wings membranous;
biting mouthparts; well-developed thorax;
complete metamorphosis with egg, larval, pupal
and adult stages.
Family: Histeridae
Generally hard, shining black or black with red
markings; no hairs or scales; very convex underside;
elytra short/moderately long.
Species characteristics:
Carcinops pumilio (no common name)
Adults 2–3 mm long; body broadly oval, flattened,
shiny dark brown to black; elytra moderately long
but with some exposure of the abdomen; antennae
with orange clubs; first antennal segments
will retract into grooves in front of eyes; legs
short, retracted beneath body when disturbed.


Areas where found
Carcinops pumilio is widely distributed in
temperate regions and will naturally colonise the
manure in poultry houses. It prefers the drier
areas, exhibits a preference for the crest of the
manure and is often associated with the spillage
of meal. The insect is a late-stage coloniser of the
manure, which is probably due to its preference
for drier conditions.
It may take several weeks for significant
populations to develop. Adults are adapted for
digging and will tunnel the manure. Carcinops
pumilio tolerates a wide range of physical
conditions and larval colonies have been
encountered at temperatures well in excess of
30°C. Populations will occasionally disperse in
response to some environmental factor.


Importance as a pest
The adults and larvae are predators of insects
and mites. They may also feed on manure and
other rotting materials. In particular they feed on
housefly eggs and first stage larvae. Adults are
reported to consume up to 24 eggs per day and,
even at relatively low densities, up to 54 immature
forms of fly per day, so making a useful
contribution to control. Carcinops pumilio is
therefore regarded as a beneficial insect.
The manure dries as it is tunnelled and aerated by
the beetles. This makes it less attractive for the
flies to lay eggs and for the fly larvae to develop,
so effecting a further measure of control. The
dried manure is also easier to clear.
Salmonella spp. and parasites e.g. tapeworms
may be transmitted by the beetle.


Life-Cycle
Female C. pumilio lay their eggs in manure with a
moisture content ca 50%. The eggs are about 1
mm long, smooth, creamy-white and slightly
convex. They hatch to give cream-coloured larvae
with dark brown heads. There are 2–3 larval
stages and the fully grown larva is ca 6.5 mm
long. It constructs a resilient cocoon in which to
pupate and may utilise empty housefly puparia for
the purpose. The pupa is initially creamy-white in
colour but turns black with time. The full life cycle
takes about one month depending upon
conditions and the adults are long lived.


Control
The following factors are pertinent to the use of
C. pumilio for the control of houseflies in poultry
houses:
Houseflies thrive in manure with a moisture
content of 50–85 %; they are unlikely to breed in
manure with a moisture content below 30%.
C. pumilio thrives in manure with a relatively low
moisture content.
Staggering the removal of manure and/or leaving
some manure when clearing a house preserves
beneficial insect populations.
When seeding poultry houses to introduce
populations of C. pumilio be alert to:
Their potential to transmit diseases e.g.
Salmonella spp., and parasites e.g. tapeworms.
The introduction of other pests e.g. Hide Beetles.
C. pumilio can be trapped for re-location to other
parts of the farm.
Commercially reared C. pumilio may be available
for release into suitable manure at a rate of e.g.
10,000 insects per pit.
Care should be taken when planning the use of
insecticides in poultry houses to ensure
C. pumilio populations are not detrimentally
affected.


Advice
Bayer has an extensive range of products specifically formulated for the control of flying and crawling insect pests.

Further information on all Bayer Environmental Science professional pest control products is available from:

Bayer Environmental Science
230 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road
Cambridge, CB4 0WB.
Tel: 01223 226680 Fax: 01223 226635


The greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this guide. In no circumstance, however, will Bayer Environmental Science be liable in respect of any error or omission.

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