Mealworms are staples in chicken feed and are also fed to birds and reptiles. But have you ever wondered where mealworms come from in the first place?
For starters they aren’t worms. Mealworms are the larval form of beetles. To be specific, the yellow mealworm beetle, which is a type of darkling beetle.
If you want to know where mealworms come from, we have to take a look at their life cycle.
The Mealworm Life Cycle Explained
The life of a mealworm starts when female darkling beetles lay eggs. A single darkling beetle can lay 70-100 eggs.
These beetles lay their eggs in dark, secluded environments such as damp soil, decaying wood, or rotting leaves.
Egg Incubation
Once the eggs are laid, they undergo a period of incubation which requires warmth and humidity. This process usually takes between 4 to 19 days, depending on the conditions. Eventually these eggs will turn into larvae or as we call them, mealworms.
If you are farming mealworms, make sure the eggs are in a warm and humid place. The more ideal the condition, the faster the eggs will turn into mealworms.
Larval Stage
The larval stage is the most recognizable and commonly known form of mealworms. This phase lasts for 10 to 14 weeks and this is what we feed to livestock.
Mealworms mostly feed on decaying organic matter. But if you want to feed them to chickens, give them a healthier diet. Bits of fruits and vegetables as well as grains are the best choices.
As mealworms grow, they shed their exoskeleton multiple times. This is known as molting and part of their growth.
Pupation
After the larval stage, mealworms go through the pupal stage.
First, mealworms will look for a safe and secluded spot. Then they will turn into an oval-like capsule shape with a yellow-white color.
Mealworms do not eat during the pupal stage. They will remain in this condition until it’s time to turn into a beetle.
Mealworms remain in the pupal stage for 2-3 weeks.. But they can remain there for 9 months if it takes place over winter.
Final Stage
When the pupal stage ends, the mealworm finally transforms into a beetle.
As it emerges the beetle’s wings unfold and harden while their exoskeleton strengthens. After a brief period of adjusting to their new form, adult darkling beetles will start to breed and lay eggs. The cycle begins again.
The journey of mealworms goes through various stages. It’s complex and fascinating true. It’s also something you need to be familiar with if you want to raise a mealworm colony.
What are Mealworms Used For?
Now that we understand where mealworms come from, we can take a closer look at their uses.
Mealworm farming is a profitable business, and you will see why because mealworms are so useful.
As Animal Feed
From fish tanks to chicken coops, to reptile habitats and birdcages, mealworms make for a versatile and healthy food source. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of including mealworms in the diets of various animals.
For Fish
Mealworms provide freshwater and marine fish with protein. Protein is essential for fish because it helps with their growth, immune system and physical development.
Mealworms are soft, which makes it easy for fish to digest. You can also chop them into bits to make digestion even easier.
Whether you have goldfish, guppies, or larger carnivorous species, mealworms are a great addition to their diet. They can be fed fresh, live, dried or even mealworm-based fish pellets.
You can also use mealworms as fish bait. If fish won’t bite with the regular stuff you use, mealworms should do the trick.
For Chickens
If there’s one animal that really loves worms, it’s chickens, and mealworms are an excellent supplement to their regular feed.
Mealworms provide chickens with nutrition and improves vitality. They are not only rich in proteins but also healthy fats. Because chickens love worms, it’s easy to feed them.
Adding to a chicken’s diet to chickens can improve egg production. It also enhances feather health and contributes to a stronger immune systems.
Chickens will eat live or dried mealworms, it’s your choice. Either one is filled with nutrients they need.
Pet Reptiles
If you have bearded dragons, leopard geckos, or other reptiles, they will love mealworms.
You can use mealworms as treats or make it a part of their regular diet. Either way your pet will benefit from the protein, calcium, fiber and vitamins.
Not only do mealworms help reptiles grow and maintain healthy muscles, but they also promote dental health by stimulating their natural chewing behavior.
I recommend that you feed mealworms in moderation and supplement their diet with fresh vegetables. Reptiles also eat other insects, which is needed for a balanced diet.
Birds
Health wise, birds will gain a lot from mealworms. Wild birds hunt for insects and worms, so it’s a natural part of their diet.
By giving mealworms to birds, you provide them with vitamins and nutrients. These are going to improve their health, enhance feathers and make them more immune to disease.
Birds are predators, and live mealworms will satisfy their instinct to hunt and eat live prey. Just like with reptiles and chickens, you can offer mealworms as treats or part of their regular food.
Related. Dried vs. Live Mealworms
As Human Food
Mealworms have been scientifically proven to be edible for humans. They are not only safe to eat but nutritious too.
I understand if you are a bit skeptical (or squeamish), but it’s true. Mealworms can be roasted, fried, powdered and cooked in different ways.
You can bake mealworms in the oven for a crispy snack or fry them. Eat them as is or use as topping for salads, rice, pasta and other meals. You can even use powdered mealworms as flour substitute.
Mealworms have a nutty taste, and you can flavor them with salt and spices. They also contain nutrients that benefit us like protein, calcium, fiber, zinc, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, iron, potassium, and more.
In many countries especially in Asia and Africa, insects are already part of traditional diets. When properly prepared, mealworms can be transformed into delicious and versatile food products. You can add mealworms to various foods such as pasta, protein bars, cookies, and even soups.
For Waste Management
Compared to traditional livestock, mealworms are more sustainable and environment friendly. You need less space, water, and food to produce the same amount of protein.
Mealworms emit fewer greenhouse gases and do not contribute to deforestation. Farming mealworms not only provides you with additional income, but it reduces the negative effects of regular live stock farming. It might come as a surprise, but mealworm farming lets you do your part in helping the environment.
As the global population continues to grow, so does the issue of waste management. Traditional waste disposal methods have proven to be both harmful to the environment and inefficient in handling the ever-increasing waste volumes.
A unique solution is emerging, utilizing the natural abilities of mealworms to consume organic waste and even tackle the menacing plastic pollution problem. In this post, we explore the remarkable potential of mealworms as agents of waste management and plastic degradation.
Nature’s Tiny Waste Managers
Mealworms have the ability to eat various forms of organic waste, including food scraps, agricultural waste, and even polystyrene and plastic materials. This natural capacity has garnered attention from scientists and environmentalists. As you might have guessed, mealworms can be an innovative solution for waste management.
Mealworms are voracious eaters and can consume a wide range of organic waste. They also break it down quickly into nutrient-rich frass (excrement). Frass can be used as an organic fertilizer or soil additive. This makes mealworms useful for waste reduction and resource conservation. Studies have shown that mealworms can significantly reduce organic waste volume. This makes them ideal for applications like composting and vermicomposting.
Mealworms as Plastic Waste Converters
One of the most interesting discoveries regarding mealworms is their ability to consume and digest plastic materials. This includes but not limited to Styrofoam, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
Researchers have found that mealworm larvae can efficiently break down these plastics into smaller fragments through a series of natural digestive processes. The resulting excrement retains fewer harmful chemical properties. This offers hope for an innovative approach to plastic waste management.
Implications for Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to our environment. As it is, conventional methods of plastic disposal are ineffective and make the problem worse. Leveraging the plastic-consuming abilities of mealworms introduces a sustainable approach.
Used properly, mealworms can limit plastic waste accumulation in landfills, oceans, and other vulnerable ecosystems. They also serve as a potential resource recovery and a circular economy.
The Future of Mealworms in Waste Management
Efforts are underway to explore and optimize mealworms’ plastic-consuming capabilities further. Researchers are investigating various factors such as optimal mealworm growth conditions, the byproducts of plastic digestion, and even genetic modifications to enhance their efficiency.
Moreover, collaborations between scientists, waste management professionals, and policymakers might lead to the adaptation of mealworms in waste management.
