Mealworms are a protein-rich Food source for chickens, lizards, birds, and other pets. They are also a great source of zinc and niacin.

In captivity, they feed on grains, rotting food and leaves, natural vegetation, animal waste, and other organic matter.

The mealworm’s last molt brings it to its final pupal stage, where it lies motionless. During this time it is preparing to become a darkling beetle. Continue to read for what do mealworms turn into and their life.

The Larval Stage

In this stage, the eggs hatch into larvae, which look like small white beans. The larvae feed and grow to about an inch in length. They will shed their exoskeletons, or molt, about 20 times during this phase of their life cycle.

When the temperature begins to drop, the larvae will change into pupae, which look similar to adults but have soft skin. The pupae will remain in this stage until the weather becomes warmer again.

It is important to separate the different stages of mealworms because if any one stage eats another, it will die. This is called cannibalism. Separating the different stages allows the population to grow more rapidly and makes for a more productive breeding system. The yellow mealworm is actually a larva of the Darkling Beetle (Tenebrio molitor) and goes through complete metamorphosis, from egg to larva to pupa to adult. The darkling beetle is a great food source for reptiles, amphibians and birds.

The Pupa Stage

The pupa stage is the intermediate form of Insect life. Insects that undergo complete metamorphosis have a pupal stage. These insects are enclosed within a protective case, or chrysalis. During the pupal stage, the insect goes through extreme transformations and must not be disturbed.

In this stage, a mealworm sheds its outer skin about 10 to 20 times. As each molt occurs, the worm eats to store the energy needed for future transformations. During this time, special cells in the body re-organize and start to re-form the adult organs.

Mealworms can be bred in zoos and sold as food for caged birds, reptiles, fish, etc. They are also used for research, and as food for many cultures.

They are very easy to rear in biology labs and many people keep them as pet critters or as bait for fishing. It is important to understand the life cycle of a mealworm so that you can successfully rear them for your needs.

The Adult Stage

Mealworms are a popular choice as reptile prey, particularly for turtles and lizards. They are also often sold at pet stores as a food source for fish and other reptiles. Although they look like worms, mealworms are actually the larva of yellow mealworm beetles (Tenebrio Molitor). Mealworms are holometabolous insects and during their metamorphosis they go through three stages: egg, larva, and pupa.

The pupal stage lasts between a few weeks to a few months depending on the environment and temperature. During this time the mealworm sheds its soft outer shell (molt) several times, creating a hard white pupal skin. The pupa doesn’t eat during this stage and appears inactive, however, it is growing all its internal components to prepare for adulthood.

Once the pupal skin has matured and the male and female beetles mate, the female starts to lay eggs. Each mealworm can produce up to 500 eggs over the course of its life.

The Dry Roasted Stage

Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) are often reared in biology laboratories and by people who feed them to reptiles, birds, and fish. They are also a potential source of protein that requires less food and water to produce than livestock.

In the wild, mealworms are found in forests, caves and other natural landscapes. They can be found in homes and businesses too, feeding on discarded food, grains, and other organic waste. Mealworms are considered a nutritious food containing up to 25 grams of protein and nutrients like sodium, iron, zinc and copper.

Mealworms go through four distinct stages in their life cycle – eggs, larvae, pupae, and beetles. This makes them a great insect to study in the classroom. They are easy to rear and can be used for a variety of purposes. Insect farming is becoming an increasingly popular industry for the production of proteins for human consumption. The mealworm is a potential candidate for replacement of conventional meat products due to its high nutritional value and low environmental production impact [1]. Mealworms have been reared to produce a variety of end products such as feed, bait, and pet food.