new mealie colony

[amv123]

I recently tried starting a meal worm colony. I threw in about 200 in a tupperware with proper bedding. Oatmeal, the bedding they came in. I have given them orange peels, apples, potatoes, and have made sure nothing has rotted and the food is fresh. Its been about 3 weeks now and the worms have gotten very large but still no pupa. Obviously, all i can do is continue to wait but usually I would've seen a pupa by now...any advice or thoughts?

 

[benga]

You seem to have the colony functioning properly and are giving them all they need from what I read.
How is their temperature?
Here's a good page on mealworm growing Raising mealworms

 

[amv123]

temp is 74-78

 

[DrCarrotTail]

Mealworms take about 4-8 months at normal temperatures (60-80 degrees) to go from egg to pupae. Depending on the size yours were when you got them and how big their genetics tell them to get they may have a while to go before pupating.

Just FYI - I had about 300 mealworms turn into beetles back around July. I have THOUSANDS of mealworms now that range from small to adult. Some are just now starting to pupate. I have so many worms that I'm starting to refrigerate some to stall their growth so I have a constant supply as I need them.