Mealworm/Mealworm pupa/Mealworm beetle

Description:

A darkling beetle. Small grub (mid sized compared with other darkling beetles) with a serious hunger for wheat bran. About 2.5 cm long. Tan in color with dark brown rings periodically on segments. Pupa is shorter than the grub by approximately 25%. This size change is maintained into the beetle stage. While in pupa form they can only move their 'tail' or abdomen. Beetles are small. Black to brown. Though they start out white with brown trim (as in the photo). The males chase females till they relent to mating. They eat the same as the grubs but less of it. They still need a moist food in addition to the bran.

Habitat:

Home grown in containers. Natural habitat is anywhere detritus can be found.

Notes:

Easy to rear. Fun to have as a kid to feed to fish, lizards, birds, rodents, hedgehogs, etc..