How Do Mealworms Turn Into Cockroaches?
WouterWhen mealworms hatch, they first appear as orange or white pupae. After a day or two, they change color and turn into white or yellowish grubs. Mealworm larvae feed on surrounding matter, and are about one-inch long when fully grown. They shed their skin several times before reaching adulthood. Mealworm larvae are often found contaminating food stores. In the winter, mealworm larvae become pupae. These pupae are round, stout and C-shaped. When they reach adulthood, they are black or brown and are about three to 12 months in length.
Mealworm larvae can be fed from a variety of sources, including fruits and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable peels are good sources of moisture. During the summer, mealworm larvae can live indoors for several weeks. Eventually, they will develop into pupae, and mature into adult beetles. The best environment to grow mealworms is 76F-80F with about 70% humidity.
The body of a mealworm is made up of nine segments. The last segment contains the spine and anus. The abdomen also contains the digestive tract and stores fat. The larvae need fat to develop into pupae and adult beetles. Their cylinder-shaped bodies have brownish rings along their body segments. As they mature, their bodies become harder.
If you want to avoid this problem, you can separate the larvae from their adult worms. They may consume the inert pupal stage. This way, you will have a consistent number of worms and won’t run out.
