The success or failure of a mealworm farm depends largely on their egg production. Understanding the facts about mealworm eggs is going to make it easier for you to set up their habitat properly and encourage them to bred. So without ado, let us dive right in.
Mealworms can start laying eggs as soon a few weeks after they turn into beetles. A typical female beetle can lay 200-300 eggs at a time.
When Do Mealworms Lay Eggs?
Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) undergo a complete metamorphic life cycle which consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Mealworms lay eggs when they reach the adult stage and turn into beetles.
Mealworms go through a pupal stage before transforming into beetles. During this period, the pupa undergoes changes and eventually an adult darkling beetle emerges from it. Female darkling beetles that come out of the pupa are ready to breed and lay eggs.
The age which beetles begin laying eggs can vary, but it usually occurs within a few weeks to a few months after their transformation from pupa to adult. After mating, a female beetle will start looking for a safe place to lay her eggs.
If you want to have a profitable mealworm farm, you have to raise the beetles properly. I always make sure their habitat is conducive to breeding so they will produce a lot of eggs. Knowing how to breed mealworm beetles can provide your farm with a constant supply of mealworms.
How Ofen Do Mealworms Lay Eggs?
Like other insects, how often darkling beetles lay eggs depends on the environment and their nutrition. Healthy mealworm beetles are going to breed often and lay more eggs.
When kept in ideal conditions with stable temperature and an adequate food supply, darkling beetles can lay eggs throughout their adult life. This can last several months in a year.
If food is scarce or the temperature fluctuates too much, darkling beetles won’t be able to lay a lot of eggs. Unhealthy beetles coupled with a harsh environment makes it even harder for them to reproduce.
Bottom line is if you want a lot of mealworms for your farm business, make sure the habitat is suitable for laying eggs and there is enough food available for them.
How Many Eggs Do Mealworms Lay Per Day?
A female darkling beetle can lay 70-100 eggs. Since beetles can reproduce several times during their lifespan, a single beetle can produce hundreds of eggs.
Based on my experience, a lot of factors determine how many eggs mealworm beetles lay. A young, healthy beetle can lay a hundred eggs or more per day. Older, malnourished beetles might only produce a dozen eggs or less.
A few days after mating, a female beetle will look for soft ground to burrow in. This is where she will lay her eggs. These are tiny eggs, about 0.04 inch (1 millimeter) in size. They are white and eventually turn yellow over time.
When your mealworm beetles are ready to lay eggs, make sure their substrate is deep enough for them to hide their eggs. Their eggs are vulnerable to humidity, temperature and predation so it’s understandable why beetles try to conceal them. Keep mealworms, pupae, beetles and eggs separate. This is necessary for their protection.
I have to emphasize that the number of eggs mealworm beetles can lay depends on the environment and their nutrition. Keep your mealworms well-fed and in the right habitat, and they will produce hundreds or thousands of eggs for your farm,
Where Do Mealworms Lay Eggs?
Mealworms are not particularly picky when it comes to choosing where to place their eggs. But they prefer locations that provides some protection. Some common places where mealworms lay their eggs include:
Substrate: In the wild, mealworms often choose substrates like decaying leaves, wood or soil to lay their eggs. These locations provide protection from predators and environmental stressors. These substrates also contain organic matter that can serve as a food source for the emerging larvae.
For your mealworm farm, I suggest a substrate made of wheat bran or oat. Both provide the right amount of humidity their needs. Add 2-3 inches of bedding and it will be set.
Organic material: Mealworms also lay their eggs in human environments where there is food nearby. This includes stored grains, cereal, pet food etc. Since a single mealworm can lay up to a hundred eggs, they can be a pest if not properly handled.
Dark and sheltered spaces: Darkling beetles are nocturnal and prefer to lay their eggs in dimly lit places. This behavior helps protect the eggs from direct sunlight, temperature extremes and potential predators. This is also one of the reasons mealworms prefer wet environments.
I have also seen mealworms laying eggs inside cracks and crevices in wood and cardboard. These tight spaces provide protection from the elements and predators so it’s not surprising.
Mealworms may lay their eggs in various locations, but their primary considerations are the safety and nourishment of the offspring. They instinctively choose environments that are most likely to support the survival and development of their eggs into healthy larvae.
Why are My Mealworms Not Laying Eggs?
Are your mealworms not laying enough eggs or not producing any at all? Here are some of the reasons why that could be happening.
Immature age: When a mealworm beetle emerges from the pupa, it is usually ready to mate and reproduce. But some species may not be mature enough. In this case they will need more time. Depending on the individual beetle, this could take a few days or longer. There is nothing wrong with your beetles, and they just need more time mature.
Lack of nutrition: Adequate nutrition is essential for any organism to reproduce, and mealworm beetles are no exception. Like other insects, mealworms require a suitable diet that provides nutrients for their reproductive system to function. An adult beetle without proper nutrition will not be able to lay eggs even if at breeding age.
Stress factors: Stress can hinder a beetle’s ability to reproduce. The most likely factors are overcrowding, temperature fluctuations, unsuitable environmental conditions and disturbances. Any one or a combination of these can prevent beetles from laying eggs or even mating.
Insufficient environmental cues: Mealworms are highly sensitive to environmental cues such as light and temperature. Like other insects, the habitat affects the reproductive behavior of adult female mealworms. If the light and temperature conditions are not suitable, such as daylight hours or temperature thresholds, beetles will not able to lay eggs.
Post-mating circumstances: Female mealworms require successful mating with males to fertilize their eggs. If the mating process is incomplete, the female may not be able to lay any eggs.
Natural life cycle: Mealworms have a natural life cycle that includes specific periods of reproductive activity. Adult beetles may enter periods of reduced reproductive activity or diapause during particular seasons or environmental conditions. During these stages, female beetles may not lay eggs at all. in these cases, it is normal.
There are several reasons why your mealworms may not be laying eggs. These factors can range from age-related immaturity to underlying environmental, nutritional, stress-related, or post-mating circumstances. But if you have a well-maintained farm, your mealworms should be fine.
Conclusion
Mealworm eggs are tiny, but they are the key to the success of a mealworm farm. Instead of buying mealworms repeatedly, you can allow your mealworms to grow into beetles and let them breed. When they lay eggs, the cycle begins and you will have a fresh supply of mealworms.
The best thing about mealworm eggs is it does not take a lot of effort to manage them. All you need to do is provide the bedding and the beetles will lay their eggs.
