mealworm question

[ZooKeeperKarin]

I've just started to breed mealworms and have about 20 or so pupae. I've transferred the pupae to a small dish with cornmeal. A couple of them have begun to turn black in color. Are they dead? Or is this part of them turning into a beetle? 2 of them are dark from end to end. How hardy are the pupae?
Thanks!

 

[acpart]

The black pupae are dead. They actually don't need to eat so they don't need the cornmeal (but it's not bad for them). A certain percentage just don't make it, I don't know why. If they all turn black then there's a problem, but I don't know what it could be.

Aliza

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

Thanks. Only two have turned dark. I have them on cornmeal thinking that (hopefully) the new beetles won't eat the other pupae before I discover them and transfer them.
Do the pupae go through stages I should know about?
I vaguely remember reading online somewhere (for all stages) that humidity should be added by placing a damp sponge in the bin on a dish. Any truth to that?
I have them in a plastic drawer system, cornmeal for the substrate and potato and/or apple for feeding and moisture. They are at room temp.

Thanks for answering dumb questions! :help:

 

[leogecko88]

I've never seen a pupa turn black. Their legs do turn dark brown when they are about to become beetles.

 

[acpart]

The pupae start out looking really white and soft. As they develop they get a bit darker and harder. Eventually you can make out eyes and legs and sometimes just before they pupate the legs start to wiggle.
I don't do anything for humidity. I actually keep my pupae in an empty cottage cheese container, dump them out every day or 2 and pick out the beetles.

Aliza

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

Thanks, now I know a little more about what to look for! I'm just hoping for as many beetles as possible to get a colony going ASAP. My geckos are hungry! lol
I've handled the crickets fine, but I'm not quite sure I'll be enjoying the beetles. I guess I'll get used to them. As long as they don't smell as much as the crickets I'll be happy! Gross!

My extended family all think I'm off my rocker. :gossip: