You have probably heard people say that mealworms cannot bite, but is this true? There are claims from some who say that mealworms can do this, but is it true? If you are new to mealworm farming and worried, let me explain the facts and why there is confusion.
Mealworms don’t have teeth and use mouthparts called mandibles to chew food. They can, under certain circumstances, try to bite. But it is harmless to humans and animals because it feels more like a light tingle.
Can Mealworms Hurt You?
Mealworms cannot hurt humans, but they might try to bite if mishandled or there is a threat. If a person handles a mealworm roughly for instance, they may try to bite out of instinct. But not to worry because mealworms do not have teeth. Instead they have jawbones called mandibles.
Mealworms prefer an herbivorous diet and feed mainly on wood, grains and dead leaves in the wild. They use mandibles to chew and grind food and also for burrowing and other activities. Their jawbone makes it easy to break down food, which allows them to eat huge amounts.
Mealworm bites cannot cause any damage or harm to humans. Their jaws are not strong enough to break through human skin, so any potential bites might feel more like a light pinch or tickle. The feeling is similar to being pricked by a dull needle or brushing against a rough surface.
Mealworms are not poisonous and don’t carry any venom or toxins. They cannot transmit diseases the way mosquitoes do so the health risk is very low.
If you have allergies or sensitive skin, you might experience a bit of swelling or irritation. But allergic reactions are to mealworms are very rare. To be safe I recommend wearing gloves when handling mealworms.
Safety Tips
The best way to avoid potential mealworm bites is to handle them with care. Do not provoke them and do not disturb them when they are eating.
Whether you are growing mealworms as pets, animal feed or to sell them, avoid rough handling. They are docile, non-aggressive creatures so it should not be a problem.
I also recommend washing hands before and after handling mealworms to avoid any bacterial infections. It’s unlikely you’ll get scratches from mealworms, but you might get it while cleaning their container.
Bottom line is that mealworms cannot hurt you. Will they try to bite? Under certain circumstances yes. But since they don’t have teeth, you won’t be harmed.
Do Adult Mealworm Beetles Bite?
Mealworm beetles are not aggressive and harmless. Even when they reach adult beetle status, mealworms cannot hurt people.
Mealworm beetles have strong jaws, but these are used for feeding on plant matter, grains, and smaller bugs. Their jaws are not strong enough to pierce human skin or those of dogs, cats, reptiles and livestock.
Their mandibles evolved for chewing solid food than inflicting harm. If you come across a mealworm beetle, it may crawl on your hand out of curiosity. But it is not going to bite, scratch or cause any discomfort.
I want to stress that there are different types of beetles, so their behavior and potential to bite can vary. However, mealworm beetles specifically are not a cause for worry. They are harmless creatures that play beneficial roles in nature and are widely regarded as safe and non-threatening. I have been farming mealworms for years and have never been hurt by mealworms. And I have never heard of anyone getting bitten either.
Do Mealworms Have Teeth?
As I explained, mealworms do not have teeth, at least nothing like the ones humans and animals have. So how are they able to eat virtually anything and in huge amounts?
Mealworms can consume a lot of food because their mandibles or jawbones are built for this. These are hard, chitinous structures capable of grinding decaying matter, fruits, vegetables, cardboard and even polystyrene.
The primary purpose of mandibles is to tear and grind solid food sources. They work very well on grains, fruits, vegetables and decaying organic matter. They resemble jaws but also function like teeth, breaking down food into smaller pieces for easier digestion.
Mandibles continue to grow as mealworms go through their life cycle. As mealworms molt, the mandibles molt too and regenerate. This is important because it allows mealworms to maintain their eating habits. Since
Related. Can Mealworms Eat Anything?
Mandibles are strong and sharp enough to break down food. But it isn’t meant for biting animals or humans and is only for the mealworms’ herbivorous diet. Even when the mandibles regenerate after molting, it never gets sharp enough to hurt humans or larger animals.
How Much Food Can Mealworms Eat?
On average, mealworms can consume two to three times their body weight in food each day. If a mealworm weighs 0.1 grams, it can eat approximately 0.2 to 0.3 grams of food daily. I have to emphasize that the exact amount of food a mealworm can consume depends on various factors such as temperature, humidity and the food quality.
Mealworms are primarily scavengers and can digest a wide range of plant and animal material. Mealworms in the wild feed on decaying vegetables, fruits, grains, leaves and dead insects. In farms, they are usually fed kitchen scraps including bread, potatoes, carrots and apples. Commercially made mealworm feed is also available and formulated to provide a balanced diet.
If you are going to use mealworms as animal feed, make sure to gut load them first. This ensures your pet is going to get as much nutrition as possible once you feed them. Since mealworms are not picky, you can feed them anything as long as it has the nutrients your pet needs.
Parts of a Mealworm’s Mouth
The mouthparts of mealworms are made up of several components. If you want to understand how they are able to eat so much food, this is a good place to start.
These mouthparts are specifically adapted so mealworms can eat its preferred diet. Without the following, mealworms won’t be able to digest the food they need.
Mandibles: The mandibles are the primary chewing structures of a mealworm’s mouth. These strong, jaw-like appendages are located on either side of the head and are used for cutting, crushing, and grinding food into smaller pieces. The mandibles are equipped with sharp teeth-like projections that allow mealworms to break down tougher food materials such as dried leaves and decaying organic matter.
Maxillae: The maxillae are paired appendages located just behind the mandibles. They manipulate and guide food towards the mandibles. The maxillae also have sensory bristles which recognizes food sources.
Labrum: The labrum is a small, elongated structure at the front of the mouth. It functions as an upper lip and helps keep food in place during feeding. The labrum has small sensory hairs that allow mealworms to detect the texture and taste of its food.
Hypopharynx: The hypopharynx is at the bottom of the mealworm’s mouth. It is used for processing food and assists in breaking down food particles. The hypopharynx also secretes digestive enzymes used for the chemical breakdown of carbohydrates and proteins.
Salivary glands: Although not a direct part of the mouth, mealworms have salivary glands that produce saliva. Saliva moistens and lubricates food, making it easier to swallow and helps in digestion.
Conclusion
The mouthparts of a mealworm have evolved specifically for consuming and digesting decaying organic matter. They are strong and durable, but not enough to hurt. Mealworms cannot bite and even if they tried, it won’t cause any injuries or harm.
