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Mealworms are the larval form of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, a species of darkling beetle.
Mealworms are typically used as a food source for reptile and avian pets. They are also provided to wild birds in bird feeders, particularly during the nesting season when birds are raising their young and appreciate a ready food supply.
Obtaining mealworms
Mealworms can be purchased at most pet stores and are also available via mail order and the internet. Mealworms can also be eaten by humans, for example, by sauteing them with vegetables. They are also a popular fishing bait.
Mealworms purchased in a pet store are typically sold in a container with bran bedding. Since mealworms are the larval stage of the darkling beetle, their natural tendency is to eat and grow, moving into the pupa stage and finally becoming adult beetles.
Storage and care
To slow down metabolism and growing process, the mealworm larva may be stored in a refrigerator or other cool place.
If you intend to breed mealworms for food/bait then you should keep them in a warm dry place. Keep them on a bed of dry bran and feed them dry dog biscuits. Moisture should be provided once or twice weekly in the form of vegetables with a high moisture content, things such as potato, cucumber and lettuce are good examples. Then just keep them warm and avoid excess moisture building up and they will do the rest.
External links
- Mealworm information from the Center for Insect Science Education Outreach at the University of Arizona
- Another mealworm information page
- How to raise mealworms
- One Internet source for live mealworms
"Mealworm"