Mealworm

Mealworm ( Tenebrio molitor )

The mealworm ( Tenebrio molitor ) is a beetle of the family of darkling beetles ( Tenebrionidae ).

Its larvae are called mealworms for their worm-like appearance. Beetles and larvae are pests; the larvae are grown as food for terrarium animals.

Features

The beetles are 10-18 mm long and have a slightly elongated body. Her head is flat. They are brightly colored shortly after hatching, after a short time they are already reddish-brown to be after dark after and to finally achieve a black color all over. On the slightly arched deck wings run lengthwise grooves. The underside of the body, the legs and antennae are reddish-brown.

Occurrence

The beetles are found worldwide and are among the most common culture followers. Outdoors they inhabit the same as their larvae, detritus, rotting wood and bird nests. In the environment of the people they inhabit flour and other grain products and keep preferably in dark and warm places.

Way of life

The nocturnal imagos feed on cereals, flour, baked goods and other substances, in which starch is included. Therefore, one meets flour beetle common in bakeries, but this need not necessarily be an indication of poor hygiene. They eat beyond other insects and sometimes their own larvae. Since the day they hide in dark crevices, they draw attention mainly due to the damage done to himself. The beetles can fly but do so rarely. The larvae feed on, like the beetles, primarily of amylaceous substances, but also by their own cannibalistic conspecifics.

Development

The females lay within their three - to four-month life 100 to 150 eggs singly or in small groups, usually in sheltered places from. The eggs are sticky, white, about 1.5 mm long and oval. To them to stick dust and the like, which gives them good camouflage. The resulting hatching larvae are initially colored about two millimeters long and whitish. You move, suggesting different than their vermiform shape, six feet away. Your body soon has a golden brown color, after each molt they are again bright whitish and discolored only gradually to a golden brown again. After about two to three weeks they are about 40 millimeters long, fully grown and ready to pupate, which takes place within their food.

Meal worms as live food

Mealworms are grown as food for insectivorous birds and as bait for fishermen. Also care bats are nursed by bat conservationists with mealworms. Furthermore, mealworms, their dolls and also the adult beetles a good protein source for rodents such as mice, hamsters, lemmings, etc. You will be eaten alive by the animals. Also in the terrarium mealworms are often fed to lizards or ants, which may lead to overfeeding due to the high fat and protein content quickly. Many terrarium owners use mealworms therefore especially for coddling and strengths of their animals.

However, the heads of the food animals should be crushed before, so that the worms can not bite ( oral cavity and lower) of the reptiles in the digestive system.

Mealworms as disease carriers

Mealworms can transfer the dwarf tapeworm ( Hymenolepis nana ) to humans, which is why they should not be eaten raw.

Pictures

Mealworms in bran