Mealworm Gluttony...

[JeffreH]

What kind of supplements are you adding to the gutload?

There is some speculation that some vitamins/minerals in excess may lead to increased mortality by interfering with the molting process. The influences of extra calcium ions or some other (unknown) nutrient might influence the hormone cascade necessary for ecdysis and development into subsequent life stages... this is only speculation though. The fact that you are having them "split" suggests there may be something going on that is preventing proper molting or throwing off the time when molting should take place.

I've not personally had an issue with it, but have also heard that substrate that is ground too fine can block the spiracles ('breathing holes') and cause the insects to essentially suffocate. I'm not sure I buy this one, because I think mealworms can handle pretty fine substrate without any issue, and by the picture your gutload looks like it would be just fine. An old friend, Ronnie Buck, informed me of this. He used to operate cricketfood.com and made some of most nutritious cricket and mealworm gutload around, so I still feel this is worth mentioning as I see him as a reliable source.

[Small Pet Feeders]

Looks like you've gutloaded your mealworms with a high protein and fat mix. I always have a difficult time growing mine to that size. I'm starting to wonder if I have the Mini Mealworm species in my breeding bins, because they usually don't get any longer than an inch or so with only the diameter of a rod of pencil lead. Did you notice similar sizes earlier on in your breeding project, or have they pretty steadily grown to that large size to begin with? Do the ones that crack open die? Or have you isolated them after noticing them splitting, to see what happens?

Also, it's always a good idea to give your mealworms or superworms some water crystals occasionally, but I find they absorb the majority of their moisture through eating fresh veggies.

You should give Dermestid Larva breeding a try, it's similar to Mealworms in my opinion, just using different nesting mediums and food. They make a great frog food and they come in handy with other breeding projects as a cleanup crew, especially roaches. I also like to use them to process out the dead insects, like your mealworms that may die, by putting the insects in a 5 gallon bucket with anything dead.

I look forward to hearing more about your breeding operation. I've heard of the 3 drawer method before, sounds like it's pretty successful for you :-)


-Dave
SmallPetFeeders.com