Mealworm colony?

G

Geck-O

Guest
Would it be easy to start a mealworm colony? I just bought about 500 mealies from a pet store for RM1 (about $0.28). I found 2 mealworm beetles (if thats what they're called) inside the bag with the mealies. I isolated the beetles so that they will mate and lay eggs. What would the beetles need to lay eggs and flourish? I'm feeding them oatmeal, a small potato and some veggie. Does this sound okay?

I also found this inside the bag with the mealworms. What is it?!?
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Grinning Geckos

Grinning Geckos

Tegan onboard.
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That would be a superworm. Pretty scary when you're used to looking at mealworms! I don't think that one is full grown yet. :D Just treat it like a mealworm, but don't stick it in the fridge.
 
G

Geck-O

Guest
So it would grow even bigger? Wow! BTW, Is this a mealworm beetle?

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G

Geck-O

Guest
It eats the same thing as mealies right. Just to make sure.
 
Grinning Geckos

Grinning Geckos

Tegan onboard.
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2,521
Location
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You want to make sure the beetles have veggies to eat. Potatoes, carrots, lettus, etc are all good. Don't bother trying to feed the beetle to your geckos.

As far as the superworm goes, it eats the same thing as the mealworms, but has a higher need for veggies (moisture). They also don't tolerate cold, so the fridge would kill it.
 
G

Geck-O

Guest
Somehow the beetles disappeared. I put them in a container with a mesh lid. I also put in some veggie and oatmeal. How in the world did they disappear? Could someone post a pic of what he/she is using to keep their mealworm colony and their beetles?
 
R

rcobourn

Guest
Geck-O said:
Somehow the beetles disappeared. I put them in a container with a mesh lid. I also put in some veggie and oatmeal. How in the world did they disappear? Could someone post a pic of what he/she is using to keep their mealworm colony and their beetles?
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If you have anything in the container... look under it. They like to be under things, and they like to dig down to the bottom of the container to lay their eggs, in my brief experience. I'm using those plastic sliding drawer dealies you can get at Walmart or Home Depot. I melted small holes in the sides of the drawers with a soldering iron for better air flow.
 
R

RepBex

Guest
That big worm is not a supa its a giant mealworm and they can grow huge

i just keep my beetles in a tub the mealworms came in and my baby mealworms the same
 
R

rcobourn

Guest
Not only is it a superworm, but it looks like it is about to have a mealworm snack. ;)
 
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