How Do Mealworms Turn Into Beetles?

Mealworms are the larval stage of a beetle known as the darkling beetle (Tenebrio molitor). What do mealworms turn into beetles? They go through four life-stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Mealworms are used widely in biology laboratories, as bait for fishing, and by many people to feed their insect-eating reptile pets.

To keep mealworms as a pet, you will need to purchase them from a local reptile store. The worms are often kept in cups, so it will be easy to take one home. Once you bring the worms home, it will be necessary to set up an aquarium or a small enclosure for them. The worms need a dark, warm, and humid environment to live and thrive.

Once you have your worms in the proper environment, they will begin to lay eggs. A single female Darkling Beetle will lay several hundred eggs over the course of 1-5 months. The tiny, bean-shaped eggs are hard to see because they are covered with substrate. After a week or two, the eggs hatch into larvae.

Larvae eat and grow until they have sufficient fat to transform into a pupa. They will also molt several times, changing their appearance and color. After a couple of months, the larvae will morph into an adult beetle. Once an adult beetle is formed, it will mate and lay more eggs.

When starting a mealworm farm, it is important to get the correct substrate. You can use rolled oats, bran, or wheat crumbles as the bedding. It is best to place the substrate in a container with a lid that has ventilation holes. These holes will prevent mold from growing in the substrate. The bottom of the container should be lined with a thin layer of Mealworm Keeper or another similar product.

After the beetles are mature, it is important not to overharvest them. This will ensure that there are enough beetles to continue the cycle. It is recommended to save about 10% of the mealworms as beetles for this reason.

The most common way to raise mealworms is by using an aquarium or another type of enclosure. This allows you to easily take care of the worms, and it will prevent them from escaping.

If you do decide to raise your mealworms in an enclosure, it is important to provide them with plenty of food and water. The worms will not be able to produce eggs and develop into beetles if they are hungry or thirsty.

If you are raising a large number of mealworms, it is recommended to use multiple aquariums or enclosures. This will help to ensure that you have a continuous supply of beetles to feed your reptile pets. It is also recommended to add a small amount of food and water to the worms at least once every day. It is important to note that mealworms are scavengers and would normally eat decaying organic material in the wild. They will not eat your furniture or other items in your home, but they may chew on some of it.