Whether you are farming mealworms as a hobby or business, knowing their behavioral patterns is a must. If their activities change for instance, you will notice it right away and make the propeer adjustments to their environment.
Mealworms are most active during the night. They prefer dark, moist environments and get stressed when exposed to light.
Understanding Mealworm Behavior
Mealworms typically exhibit the most activity during their larval stage. This often lasts for about ten weeks. This stage is when they go through various growth spurts, shedding their exoskeletons several times to accommodate their increasing size. The activity level during this period is high as they continuously search for food and interact with their environment.
One factor that greatly affects the activity of mealworms is temperature. These creatures rely on their surroundings to regulate their body temperature as they are cold-blooded.
In warmer conditions, such as between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (24-32 degrees Celsius), mealworms tend to be more active. Increased temperatures accelerate their metabolic rate, resulting in enhanced movement and feeding behaviors.
Mealworms are primarily nocturnal creatures, meaning they are more active during the night-time hours. They possess photoreceptors that make them sensitive to light and trigger their natural instinct to burrow and hide during daylight hours.
This behavioral adaptation allows them to avoid predators and protect themselves. Therefore, it is more common to observe mealworms being active during the evening or in dimly lit areas.
Factors That Affect Mealworm Activity
Humger. Factors like hunger and humidity can also influence the activity level of mealworms. When hunger strikes, mealworms become notably more active as they search for food sources. In this case I would give stuff like grains, bran, or fruits. High humidity levels can also stimulate their activity levels, as it creates a more favorable environment for molting and growth.
Life cycle stage. I want to note that as mealworms progress through their life cycle, their activity levels may decrease. As they near pupation, which precedes the final transition into adult beetles, mealworms become less active. They tend to spend more time in tunnels they create within their substrate, preparing for the upcoming transformation.
Mealworms are most active during their larval stage especially in warmer temperatures. This is very noticeable in dimly lit environments. Their activity primarily revolves around searching for food, feeding, and exploring their surroundings.
As they progress further in their life cycle, activity levels tend to decrease as they prepare for their transition into adulthood. Learning their behavior is not only vital for farming but it’s also interesting.
Why Mealworms Prefer Dark Areas
While mealworms can tolerate some light exposure, research has shown that they have a strong affinity for darker environments. I can cite many reasons for this preference.
First, mealworms are naturally night time creatures. In the wild they can be found in decaying logs, leaf litter or underground burrows. Mealworms also tend to be most active during low light conditions such as dusk or night. This behavior is an adaptation that helps them avoid predators and increases their chances of finding food.
Avoiding Dehydration
Another reason mealworms like the dark is due to their body structure. Mealworms possess a soft exoskeleton that is highly prone to dehydration.
By instinct, these creatures avoid direct sunlight, which reduces the risk of desiccation. The dark also helps them retain moisture, ensuring their survival in challenging and dry environments.
Safety
The dark also provides mealworms with a sense of security. These larvae do not have strong vision, and bright lights can be overwhelming to them. So if you are going to set up a mealworm farn, I suggest placing it in dimly lit or dark area.
In darker environments, they can navigate their surroundings more easily, reducing the risks of injury and predation. Seeking out darkness also allows them to camouflage better, blending in with their habitat and avoiding detection from potential predators.
Natural Feeding Habit
Mealworms prefer the dark due to their feeding habits. They are detritivores, which means they eat decomposing organic matter. Typically, their food sources are found in dark and damp environments like rotting wood or decaying leaves. By lurking in these habitats, they can locate and access their preferred food sources and ensure a stable food supply.
Reproductive Requirements
Researchers also believe that mealworms’ fondness for the dark is influenced by their reproductive behavior. Studies suggest that they are more likely to mate and lay eggs in dimly lit areas.
This behavior is believed to enhance their reproductive success, as darkness provides a more suitable environment for egg development and the subsequent survival of their offspring.
How to Keep Mealworms Active
Now that we understand when mealworms are most active, you can take steps to ensure they remain that way. Keeping them in the dark is just the first step. Based on my experience there are other things you can do to promote activity.
Provide proper housing: Mealworms require a suitable environment to thrive. Using a plastic or glass container with a lid is ideal. Make several small ventilation holes to maintain airflow. Ensure the container is large enough to allow the mealworms to move and burrow comfortably.
Use the right substrate: Place a layer of bedding at the bottom of the container. Bedding materials such as oatmeal, wheat bran, or cornmeal work well. The substrate should be around 1-2 inches deep. This provides a comfortable habitat for mealworms and allows them to bury themselves.
Provide darkness: Mealworms are nocturnal and prefer a dark environment. Keep their container in a shaded area away from direct sunlight. Darkness allows mealworms to regulate their activity according to their natural rhythm, resulting in healthier and more active insects.
Other Considerations
Check moisture: Mealworms thrive in a slightly humid environment. However, excess moisture can cause mold or fungus growth. Monitor the humidity level and adjust as needed by lightly misting the substrate with water using a spray bottle. Avoid spraying directly on the mealworms.
Temperature control: Mealworms are cold-blooded organisms, so temperature plays a crucial role in their activity levels. Ideally, an ambient temperature of 70-80°F (21-27°C) is suitable for mealworms. Avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures, as this can stress or even kill them.
Nourishment: Provide a nutritious diet for your mealworms to keep them active. Mealworms can thrive on a diet of grains, vegetables, and fruits. Offer them a variety of vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and cucumbers, as well as fruits such as apples or grapes. Avoid adding citrus fruits as they can be harmful. Here is a guide on what mealworms eat.
Regular feeding schedule: Mealworms should be fed on a regular basis to ensure their nutritional needs are met. Provide fresh food every few days and remove any uneaten or spoiled food promptly. Mealworms can eat their own molts, so don’t be alarmed if you see them consuming their exoskeletons.
Spacious container: Mealworms are active burrowers. I suggest adding some natural elements to their habitat, such as small pieces of bark or leaves. This provides opportunities for exercise and keeps them engaged in natural behaviors.
Keep the farm clean: Ensure the container and substrate are clean to prevent bacterial or fungal growth. Periodically check for any mold or foul odors that could indicate a hygiene issue. If necessary, remove and replace the bedding.
Avoid overcrowding: Prevent overcrowding in your mealworm container, as it can lead to stress, aggression, and competition for resources. Provide enough space for them to move and burrow freely. If you have a large number of mealworms, consider transferring some to a separate container.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your mealworms remain active and healthy.
Conclusion
Mealworms prefer the dark due to a combination of factors. Their natural nocturnal behavior, need to avoid dehydration, sense of security, feeding habits, and reproductive preferences all contribute to their inclination towards darker environments. Understanding their preference for darkness provides valuable insights into their behavior and helps in creating suitable environments for their captivity or control in different settings.
