mealworms

Mealworms are the larval form of Tenebrio molitor, a species of darkling beetle. They are widely raised as feed for reptiles, birds, and fish, and have also been studied as a protein source for humans. Larvae are typically yellow-brown, about 2 to 3 cm long, and have a segmented body with a hard exoskeleton.

Life cycle and development follow a four-stage pattern: egg, larva (the mealworm), pupa, and adult beetle. Eggs hatch in roughly one to three weeks, depending on temperature and conditions. The larval stage lasts several months and includes multiple molts, during which the worm grows to its final size. Pupation yields a beetle, which emerges after about one to three weeks. Adults live for several weeks to months and mate to sustain the cycle.

Diet and rearing conditions are straightforward. Mealworms feed on cereal grains, bran, oats, and vegetable scraps, and they thrive in a dry, dark environment with moderate humidity. In farming settings, a substrate such as bran or oats is used, with bins designed to separate larvae from frass and shed skins. Temperature and sanitation influence growth rate and health.

Nutrition and uses vary by diet and rearing method, but mealworms are generally high in protein and fat, with typical values around 20–25% protein and 10–15% fat. They are used as pet feeds, fishing bait, and increasingly as ingredients in human food products and animal feed. Safety considerations include potential allergens for some individuals and the importance of clean, controlled rearing to prevent contamination.