What Do Mealworms Look Like
When you hear the word “mealworm,” it sounds like it could be a lot of things. It could be a worm that’s used as cat food, or it could even be some sort of fancy fish platter. However, mealworms are actually the larvae form of darkling beetles. In fact, the term “mealworm” refers to both the larvae and beetle forms of this bug species. If you want to know what mealworms look like in their different stages, keep reading:
Mealworms are the larvae form of darkling beetles.
Mealworms are the larvae form of darkling beetles, which is why they look similar to the larvae of other beetles. In fact, their name comes from mealworm because these insects are often fed to pet reptiles and fish.
On the other hand, mealworms are also known by several other names:
- Leatherjacket grub (the larvae of leatherjackets)
- Tenebrio molitor (the Latin name for mealworms)
They’re yellowish in color, about 1/2 inch long and have six legs.
Mealworms are about 1/2 inch long and are yellowish in color. They have six legs. They are the larvae form of darkling beetles and can be found in many parts of the United States as well as Canada, Mexico and China.
The best way to tell that a bug is a mealworm is to look at them from the side and see if the body is long and skinny, or if it’s shorter and has a specific shape.
The best way to tell that a bug is a mealworm is to look at them from the side and see if the body is long and skinny, or if it’s shorter and has a specific shape. Mealworms are long and thin, whereas their cousins, superworms (also called Zophobas morio) are short and fat with a flat head. They’re also not as common in nature—you can buy them in pet stores.
If you find your bug collection has both of these insects, don’t worry! Mealworms tend to be darker in color than superworms (more brown than gray), but otherwise share many similarities in appearance.
When mealworm larvae reach maturity, they become pupae, which are gray with white stripes.
The next stage of development is the pupae stage. This is when the mealworm has matured, but does not yet have wings. Pupae are dark gray with white stripes. When they become beetles, their exoskeleton becomes hard and their wings begin to grow out of each side of it.
After about two weeks in this developmental stage, pupae emerge as adult darkling beetles.
After two or three weeks, the pupal stage ends and beetles emerge. The process of shedding their exoskeleton and emerging as adults is called molting.
Mealworms can also be used as food for reptiles and amphibians. They are rich in protein and vitamin B12, making them a nutritious snack for many pets with high metabolisms like lizards or snakes.
Mealworms are super easy to care for–they don’t need much water or soil; just toss them into a bowl of moistened bran flakes (or any other grain) in your pantry! After about two weeks, you should have happy little beetles crawling around on your countertop!
These beetles are brown with black spots and sometimes look similar to lady bugs.
You may have heard the term “beetle” before, but you might not know what it means. Beetles are a type of insect that belong to the order Coleoptera, which means “sheathed wings.” In fact, beetles are more closely related to roaches than flies! Some types of beetles are beneficial to humans because they eat dead plant matter and insects. Others prey on other pests in your garden or around your home.
Mealworms are a fancy word for gross-looking beetles
Mealworms are the larvae form of darkling beetles. They’re yellowish in color and about 1/2 inch long, with six legs. Mealworms are usually raised as food for aquarium fish, reptiles and birds.
Larvae can be fed on grain, vegetables or fruit scraps if they’ve been cooked first (the uncooked foods will give them worms). A small amount of water is also needed to keep them moist while they eat.
Mealworms are the larval form of darkling beetles. They’re yellowish in color, about 1/2 inch long and have six legs. The best way to tell that a bug is a mealworm is to look at them from the side and see if the body is long and skinny, or if it’s shorter and has a specific shape. When mealworm larvae reach maturity, they become pupae, which are gray with white stripes. After about two weeks in this developmental stage, pupae emerge as adult darkling beetles. These beetles are brown with black spots and sometimes look similar to lady bugs.