Mealworm colony

fallen_angel

fallen_angel

Fallen Angel's Geckos
Messages
7,937
Location
Stockton, CA
Just two quick questions:
1) Why are all of our beetles brown? Are those the females, or will they turn black at some point?
2) I have read that temps of 80-85 will expedite the whole breeding mealworm process, so is 90 degrees too high? I was thinking of just throwing our mealies into one of our hatchling bins where it's heated..

Thanks!
 
Kristi23

Kristi23

Ghoulish Geckos
Messages
16,181
Location
IL
I've noticed that they start white, turn brown, and then quickly turn black. I'm not sure if that's how they all are, but that's how mine have been. I'm not sure on the temps though. I just have them at room temp and they've been changing fine.

Good luck!
 
GeckoGathering

GeckoGathering

GrizLaru
Messages
4,323
Location
Indiana
color/sex

fallen_angel said:
Just two quick questions:
1) Why are all of our beetles brown? Are those the females, or will they turn black at some point?
2) I have read that temps of 80-85 will expedite the whole breeding mealworm process, so is 90 degrees too high? I was thinking of just throwing our mealies into one of our hatchling bins where it's heated..

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Part of a Internet article......??

After 6 - 18 days (7-24 days or more), the pupae metamorphose into beetles. At first the beetle is white/light beige with a soft shell, and then it darkens and hardens to red, brown, and finally turns dark brown/black after about 2-7 days. The beetle is about a half to three quarters of an inch long and slightly flat. Males and females are indistinguishable. They can not fly, but they can move very quickly.......t.c.
 
GeckoGathering

GeckoGathering

GrizLaru
Messages
4,323
Location
Indiana
temps.

fallen_angel said:
Just two quick questions:
1) Why are all of our beetles brown? Are those the females, or will they turn black at some point?
2) I have read that temps of 80-85 will expedite the whole breeding mealworm process, so is 90 degrees too high? I was thinking of just throwing our mealies into one of our hatchling bins where it's heated..

Thanks!
Click to expand...


About Temps.

Temperature: The ideal temperature to maximize growth is 77-81ºF, but ~ 72-74ºF is alsoMealworm stages. Photo by Bet Zimmerman good. Mealworms do reproduce in temperatures ranging from 65-100 F, but temperatures above 86ºF negatively impact growth and development (inhibiting pupation). The duration of the pupal stage will depend on temperature. It is six days at 91.4ºF, seven days at 80.6ºF, ten days at 75.2ºF and thirteen days at 69.8ºF.

Temperatures below 62ºF may halt reproduction. In cold temperatures the larval stage can last two years. Chilling worms and then re-warming them may significantly delay pupation. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 40ºF may kill the worms. ..........T.C.
 
M

mynewturtle

New Member
Messages
559
Location
Canada
I keep all my mealworms at around 85F - 88F and I produce atleast 30k a month.

They will come out brownish and after a few days will turn black.
 
fallen_angel

fallen_angel

Fallen Angel's Geckos
Messages
7,937
Location
Stockton, CA
That makes sense, I am seeing white ones and brown ones, should be seeing black soon then. Thanks eveyone; and thank you for all the extra info HJ :D
 
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