From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mealworm beetle
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Coleoptera Family: Tenebrionidae Genus: Tenebrio Species: T. molitor
Binomial name
Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, 1758

Mealworms are the larval form of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, a species of darkling beetle. Like all holometabolic insects, they go through four life-stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Larvae typically measure about 2.5cm or more, whereas adults are generally between 1.25 and 1.8cm in length.

Contents 1 Uses 2 Reproduction 2.1 Hatching 2.2 Larval Stage 2.3 Pupal Stage 2.4 Adulthood 2.5 Life cycle timing 3 Human consumption 4 Pest control 5 External links

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. They are commonly used for fishing bait.

They can be purchased at most pet stores and are also available via mail order and the internet. Mealworms are typically sold in a container with bran or oatmeal for food.

When rearing mealworms, commercial growers incorporate a juvenile hormone into the feeding process to keep the mealworm in the larval stage and achieve an abnormal length of 2 cm or greater.^{[citation needed]}

Mealworm beetles (darkling beetles) are prolific breeders. It is harder to stop them breeding than it is to get them to breed. The mating process has three steps: 1) The male chases the female until she gives up. 2) The male then mounts her and curls his genitals (aedagus) underneath him and inserts it into her genital tract. 3) Once the male has inserted himself he injects her with a packet of semen. A matter of days after mating (dependent on incubation temperature) the female will burrow into soft ground and lay between 70 and 100 eggs.

After 1 week the eggs hatch and larvae emerge.

During the larval stage "mealworms" will undergo repeated molting between bouts of eat various vegetation or dead insects. This takes place 10-14 times (instars) as it gets too big for its exoskeleton. During its last molt, it loses its carapace before curling into its pupal form.

The mealworm remains in its pupal stage 6-30 days(dependent on incubation temperature). The pupa starts a creamy white and changes slowly to brown during its pupation stage.

The newly eclosed mealworm beetle will sit still as its wings unfold and dry. It will appear a creamy color and will slowly brown over a period of 2-7 days. Once the mealworm beetle has browned they will become sexually mature and begin to look for a mate.

• Incubation: 10-11 days at 20°C; 4-6 days at 30°C
• Larval period: 90-114 days (10-14 larval instars).
• Pupal period: 30 days at 15°C; 9 days at 25°C; 6 days at 35°C.
• Adult: 30-60 days

Mealworms have been incorporated into tequila flavored novelty candies. However, mealworms are not traditionally served in tequila or mezcal drinks, the latter sometimes containing a larval moth (Hypopta agavis).

Usually a mealworm infestation within premises of any kind is generally attributed to poor housekeeping practices in regards to cleaning away scraps of food and ensuring stored food can’t easily be got at by pests.

If an outbreak has occurred then any tainted food should be disposed of in an outside bin with a tight fitting lid. If the contaminated food stuff is placed in an inside bin the infestation will continue.

In addition an effective insecticide spray can be used to eradicate the problem. This is generally applied to the area in and around the outbreak and will be administered for at least three weeks post-infestation, as the larvae have such a long life span.

• Mealworm information from the Center for Insect Science Education Outreach at the University of Arizona
• Darkling Beetles
• OPH Good Housekeeping - Pest Control