The Bug Factory: Meal Worm Growing Pods
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LIFECYCLE AT A GLANCE
Mealworms are the larval form of a darkling beetle, Tenebrio monitor. These are classified as a holometabolic insect, when means they pass through 4 distinct life stages: EGG, LARVA, PUPA and ADULT. In optimal conditions, the full lifecycle can take about 4 months and occur continuously. EGG. Females typically lay about 250-300 white, very tiny, bean-shaped eggs at once. If the environmental parameters are favorable, this will happen year-round. LARVA. The segmented, goldenish larvae are lethargic, clumsy crawlers that molt between 5-7 times. They grow to about 1 inch in length and eat a wide array of grains, as well as fruits and vegetables for moisture. Optimal temperature range is 65-85°F and no direct sunlight. PUPA. This is the C-shaped, inactive stage where the metamorphic, transformation magic takes place. No feeding occurs during this phase of the lifecycle. ADULT. Initially cream colored, these emerge from the pupa and turn a dark color within a few days. This slow moving beetle are quite sedentary, but do have the ability to fly, though the occurrence is rare. Adults can live up to 1 year. |
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Product Manual
Comprehensive PDF instructions that can be downloaded or view on your mobile.
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Video Guide
For those that prefer a visual tutorial on setting up their mealworm growing habitat.
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FAQ
An ever evolving work in progress with some common questions already listed.
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SIMPLE SETUP STEPS
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STEP 1 - Familiarize
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STEP 2 - Add Mealworms
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The base Mealworm Growing Pod includes 3 x White Mealworm Trays. This is where the eggs hatch and the mealworms reside and grow. There is also 1 x Blue Beetle Tray, where the adults breed and lay eggs.
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Add Mealworms to one of the three Mealworm Trays. You will need a minimum of 100 grams to start. 4 large mealworms weighs approx. 1 gram, so that would be around 400+ mealworms. 500-1000 worms is a good starting point. Set extra trays and blue insert aside.
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STEP 3 - Add Substrate
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STEP 4 - Move Pupae
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Add 1-2 cup of wheat bran or oatmeal to the tray with the mealworms. This is their food as well as their substrate (also called bedding). Add a few baby carrots or potatoes cut in half - this will provide the necessary moisture necessary for survival.
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Over the coming weeks, the mealworms will grow and turn into immobile pupae. As they do this, use the tweezers to move them from the mealworm tray to the raised centre platform of the Blue Beetle Tray inside of the 2nd white tray. As the pupae hatch, the beetles will crawl off the platform into the tray area. Continue adding pupae to center platform.
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STEP 5 - Adult Beetles
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STEP 6 - Move Blue Tray
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Add 1 cup of wheat bran / oatmeal and a few carrots / potatoes as adults emerge. Add more food as needed. Discard anything moldy. Adults will breed and begin laying eggs which will fall through the holes. Add bedding and a few cubes to the white tray below. After a few weeks, the mealworms will become visible. After a month, move the blue tray with adults to the next (3rd) empty white tray.
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As these mealworms grow in the second tray, you can start using them to feed your animals. Always check food levels in all active trays, harvesting mature larvae for feed, while allowing a few to pupate which will become adults.
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