Description: Tenebrio Molitor
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insect
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Tenebrionidae
Genus: Tenebrio
Species: T. Molitor
Natural Habitat:
Mealworms prefer warm, dark, damp places (decaying logs, leaves).
Thought to have originated in Europe.
They are more prevalent in the northern States.
Captive Habitat:
In large, smooth- surfaced containers with closed lids. Good ventilation is essential to prevent mold-growth. They can be fed bran, oatmeal, cheerios and pieces of fruit. The ideal temperature is around 75 degrees and should be kept away from direct sunlight. Dead worms should be removed immediately and should have their container cleaned on a fairly regular basis. (if ammonia is smelled, it is time to change)
How/What do they:
Breathe: holes on their abdomen (spiracles)
Eat: grains, vegetation, spoiled food, other organic matter. They eat only finely ground material because they have small mouths and no teeth at this stage.
Drink: they suck moisture out of their food sources with their tiny mouths. They do not require water.
Mealworm Life Cycle:
- A female beetle will lay approx 500 eggs at a time.
- In 4-19 days, they will hatch into the larval form.
- There are 9-20 molting stages (instars) for each larva. (the final stage being a pupa)
- After 3-30 days, the pupae will turn to beetles
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insect
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Tenebrionidae
Genus: Tenebrio
Species: T. Molitor
Natural Habitat:
Mealworms prefer warm, dark, damp places (decaying logs, leaves).
Thought to have originated in Europe.
They are more prevalent in the northern States.
Captive Habitat:
In large, smooth- surfaced containers with closed lids. Good ventilation is essential to prevent mold-growth. They can be fed bran, oatmeal, cheerios and pieces of fruit. The ideal temperature is around 75 degrees and should be kept away from direct sunlight. Dead worms should be removed immediately and should have their container cleaned on a fairly regular basis. (if ammonia is smelled, it is time to change)
How/What do they:
Breathe: holes on their abdomen (spiracles)
Eat: grains, vegetation, spoiled food, other organic matter. They eat only finely ground material because they have small mouths and no teeth at this stage.
Drink: they suck moisture out of their food sources with their tiny mouths. They do not require water.
Mealworm Life Cycle:
- A female beetle will lay approx 500 eggs at a time.
- In 4-19 days, they will hatch into the larval form.
- There are 9-20 molting stages (instars) for each larva. (the final stage being a pupa)
- After 3-30 days, the pupae will turn to beetles