Good morning! Have you had breakfast yet? No? Good! Grab yourself a bowl of oatmeal or a piece of toast! You might want to finish eating before reading any farther! 🙂
When I decided to raise mealworms, I read about what they eat, how to build their “home”, the temperature I should maintain for them. I did not read that they shed their skin a million times. As I mentioned before, I thought I had killed about 2/3 of them because I kept finding dried, shriveled up skins and I thought that was the remains of dead mealworms. Here’s a photo of one of the worms shedding its skin.
Shedding Skin
After accidentally almost drowning them all, on Tuesday I cleaned out their “home” (which is a Rubbermaid box). When I saw how many beetles were in there, I realized they must be doing pretty good!
Beetles
I had planned to transfer all the beetles, larvae, and worms to a clean, dry “home” but then I thought about the eggs? I don’t even know if I can see the eggs and I didn’t want to dump all them so I transferred the beetles, larva and worms and then left the bedding (which is wheat bran and chicken crumbles) in a partially sunny location, stirred it several times and soon it was dry so I dumped it in with the clean bedding.
They start out as eggs, then they turn into the worms. I read that it takes 4 – 7 days for the eggs to turn into worms but I also read that it takes 4 – 19 days and then I read that it takes 20 – 40 days so . . they turn into worms when they turn into worms! The black thing is a dead worm.
Pupa
Above, you can see several of the “skins” that have been shed. I read that they can shed the skin up to 20 times! They are at the worm (or larva) stage for about 10 weeks. Then they turn into a pupa. There are lots of opinions about how long they stay at the pupa stage. I’m guessing 2 to 3 weeks.
Pupa
Then they hatch into a beetle. They start out white.
White Beetle
Then they turn brown . . then they turn black.
Black Beetle
Then . . the beetle lays eggs and then it dies. The beetle lives about 8 – 12 weeks. That, my friends, is the life cycle of a meal worm.
Aren’t you glad you ate breakfast before you started reading this? 🙂
Carolyn says
LOL didn’t bother me a bit,. when do you feed them to the chicks?
Swooze says
My question too….
JudyL says
When they’re at the “worm” stage is when I feed them to the chicks. I’ll also feed some of the beetles to the chicks. I sift out a few worms and toss them to the chicks or pick out the beetles and throw them in the run.
Katie Z. says
Mmm, yummy! Nope, read this while I finished breakfast. There were no bug guts involved, so it was fine
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Sherrill says
Oh bleck! Worms, beetles, they’re all GROSS!! And I haven’t eaten yet so not sure I will. YUCK!
Ming says
LOL! I learn some of the most interesting things from reading your blog!
Frankie says
I thought the same thing when I saw all those skins in my tank. Reading about mealworms is confusing — so much conflicting info. Fortunately mine seem to be doing ok — lots and lots of beetles at this point so I guess I’m doing something right!
Nancy G. says
I just love to learn about all the interesting things you do. I wish I had as much energy as you do. I am so proud of you for sharing all your great adventures with the readers. Thank you.
diane - FL says
It is amazing what you can learn on your blog. 🙂 From smoking meat, knitting, solar panels, to worm growing…all from a blog I initially found while quilting. LOL
Sandi B says
This made me laugh!! Now, if you were showing a snake shedding it’s skin, I might be a bit queasy!
Mary-Kay says
Boy, you sure have a lot going on out there in Texas. I’ve certainly learned lots of interesting facts from you and I do know what I’m never, ever going to do in my life, like raising mealworms. Interesting but nope, not here!
Brandy M. says
Oh my – this is so cool! I love all the learning to be done via your blog, Judy!
So, when you go to the coop(s) with the worms & beetles, do the chickens run to you, knowing you’re bringing treats? (IE: is there any concern the beetles will get away without being eaten?)
Interesting stuff!
🙂