What is a Mealworm?
The mealworm is NOT a worm!
It is the larval stage of the yellow mealworm beetle, also called the darkling beetle. Mealworms are dark yellow with brown bands; they are up to about 35 mm long, have a segmented body, six legs (towards the front of the body) and two antennae.
Diet
Both the adults and the larvae are scavengers that eat grains, seedlings, some fruit and some vegetables They also eat decaying material, like decomposing animals and dead plants. They get all the water they need from the food they eat. They are mostly vegetarians, but sometimes they also eat each other, especially if conditions are poor or if they are overcrowded.
Environment
Mealworms clean up after plants and animals, and therefore can be found anywhere where leftovers occur. They can be found in dark, damp places, such as under a log or rock. Mealworms prefer darkness and to have their body in contact with an object. However, if there is a choice a mealworm prefers to live in human environments. As strange as it sounds, it makes the most sense because food doubles as habitat for mealworms, mills, warehouses, grocery stores and farms are ideal habitats for these scavengers. They bury themselves in in their food and will live in the very substance they also consume.
Enemies
Mealworms are eaten by many animals, including many birds, rodents, spiders, lizards, and some other beetles. Humans are also a predator of the mealworm. In many places mealworms are eaten, cooked or raw!
The mealworm is NOT a worm!
It is the larval stage of the yellow mealworm beetle, also called the darkling beetle. Mealworms are dark yellow with brown bands; they are up to about 35 mm long, have a segmented body, six legs (towards the front of the body) and two antennae.
Diet
Both the adults and the larvae are scavengers that eat grains, seedlings, some fruit and some vegetables They also eat decaying material, like decomposing animals and dead plants. They get all the water they need from the food they eat. They are mostly vegetarians, but sometimes they also eat each other, especially if conditions are poor or if they are overcrowded.
Environment
Mealworms clean up after plants and animals, and therefore can be found anywhere where leftovers occur. They can be found in dark, damp places, such as under a log or rock. Mealworms prefer darkness and to have their body in contact with an object. However, if there is a choice a mealworm prefers to live in human environments. As strange as it sounds, it makes the most sense because food doubles as habitat for mealworms, mills, warehouses, grocery stores and farms are ideal habitats for these scavengers. They bury themselves in in their food and will live in the very substance they also consume.
Enemies
Mealworms are eaten by many animals, including many birds, rodents, spiders, lizards, and some other beetles. Humans are also a predator of the mealworm. In many places mealworms are eaten, cooked or raw!
Image retrieved from http://lowres.cartoonstock.com/animals-bird-hatchling-nestling-nest-chick-nfkn236_low.jpg
