MealWorm Beatles

[Kurt]

Pupa.

[1beataway]

To my surprise, I opened up my bathroom cabinet to find at least 7 beetles and 1 pupa. I really thought everything in there was dead, but I hadn't tossed them out yet in hope (though at that time it was more denial). So 7 out of 15 isn't bad, considering I completely forgot about them for several days and they had no carrots. Two of the beetles didn't look the best, but when I put fresh carrots in there, they both went straight for it, so maybe they'll be ok. We will see.

So I know it was a Saturday when I started the colony, so that means almost exactly 3 or 4 weeks from refrigerated mealworms to beetles (I think 3 weeks). Anyone know how long from beetles to baby-making time?

[Ebony]

The entire process of a mealworm going from egg to beetle takes between 10-12 weeks. Those that do not use supplemental heating may experience longer time frames, I keep mine at room temp and it does take a bit longer. When you start your colony, expect it to take 4-6 weeks before you may see babies. Just be consistent and before you know it you'll have plenty. Good luck

[Tropicok]

A container of small mealworms was left unused and forgotten and now I have beetles. Yippee! Also I have the one live larvae of a super mealworm which my box turtles love, so hope that one turns into a beetle as well. We raise our own mealworm, silk worms (in summer), spring tails, algae and other stuff at the Zoo so I'm getting a good education in culturing all kinds of froggie food. Mealworm containers are open plastic shoeboxes, oatmeal, a half-apple, and a paper towel covering which we spray ever so lightly when we think about it.

[1beataway]

I'm very surprised that I started the colony in December. After all the beetles died, I just gave up hope, but I was so busy with school and being sick that I forgot about the critter tote in my closet. At the end of May, right after my finals, I had a week to pack all my stuff and move. When I found the container, there were so many mealworms! Small ones. I was totally surprised. But I had no time to really think about it, and I stuck it into a box of stuff I was expecting to unpack soon.

However, moving all those boxes, that one box got lost. And I had summer classes, including an incredibly hard science class, and two jobs. Two months later, I found the box, and we took the container out, to find lots of dead beetles and lots of living small beetles. I haven't done anything to them or put in carrots in months and months.

So, in conclusion....mealworms make great pets. I can't kill them.

[Chaya]

ROFLMAO! nice to hear that you cant kill them... maybe i should start a group for my whites

[snakeboy7167]

My biology teacher in high school had a culture of mealworms, and his setup was simple, really. It was a 5 gal bucket, uncovered, filled with sawdust and whatever else he decided for substrate. The mealworms would metamorphose into beetles and to take care of them he just tossed in whatever he had left from lunch (banana peels, orange peels, leftover veggies, etc.). He also tossed in whatever dead animals he had that he wanted to skeletonize (taxidermists and scientists use the beetles to strip carcasses without doing damage to the skeletons). Dermestid beetles (mealworm beetles) will eat anything including other dead beetles/worms so keeping a culture going is the easiest thing in the world.

[froggiez]

just got some meal worms today, I may try to start a colony too Lots of great info here!!

[froggiez]

I meant to ask, should I put them in the fridge if I am trying to wait for them to be beetles n such or is room temp good? which is quickest way to get more worms?

[Kurt]

Room temperature. You put them in the fridge and nothing will ever happen. Same goes for waxworms. People usually refridgerate these insects to keep them from maturing, and in my opinion does more harm than good to your waxworms. The waxwoms I produce are top notch and much more active than the store bought ones.

[froggiez]

thank you!

[Kurt]

You're welcome.