What are the breeding and reproduction methods for mealworms?
The mealworm is what we commonly call the breadworm. It is a soft-bodied crawling creature, and it can now be found in many places across our country. Mealworms have high feeding value, and many people now raise them. However, before raising them, many people are not very familiar with the specific breeding methods and reproduction techniques for them.
How to raise mealworms
1. Temperature management. Mealworms are relatively cold-tolerant. Overwintering mature larvae can tolerate -2°C, while young larvae die in large numbers at around 0°C. 2°C is their survival limit, 10°C is the developmental threshold, they enter dormancy above 8°C, 25-30°C is the suitable temperature range, and growth and development are fastest at 32°C, but prolonged exposure to high temperatures makes them prone to disease, and above 32°C they die from heat. The above temperatures refer to the internal temperature of the insect body.
2. Humidity control. Mealworms are drought-tolerant and can survive in feed with a moisture content below 10%. In a dry environment, growth and development are slow, the insect body weight decreases, and a large amount of feed is wasted. The ideal feed moisture content is 15%, and the humidity is 50-80%. If the feed moisture content exceeds 18% and the air humidity exceeds 85%, growth and development slow down and they become prone to disease, with moths being especially prone to disease. If the breeding room is too dry, sprinkle clean water; if the humidity is too high, ventilate promptly. The body moisture content of mealworms is 48-50%.
3. Light control. Mealworms were originally warehouse pests. They are naturally afraid of light and naturally active, and they are active both day and night, which shows that they do not need sunlight. Female adults lay more eggs in dimmer places than under strong light.
How mealworms reproduce
The suitable reproduction temperature for breadworms is 20-30°C. At 20-25°C, the egg stage is 7-8 days, the larval stage is 122 days, and the pupal stage is 8 days; from egg to adult takes about 133 days. At 28-30°C, the egg stage is 3-6 days, the larval stage is 100 days, and the pupal stage is 6 days; from egg to adult takes only 110 days. Humidity also greatly affects their reproduction. A relative humidity of 60-70% is suitable. When the humidity is too high and reaches 90%, most larvae die by the 2nd to 3rd instar, and when it is below 50%, egg production decreases greatly.
What mealworms do well eating
1. Common formula for larvae: wheat bran 70%, cornmeal 25%, soybean meal 4.5%, feed-grade multivitamins 0.5%. Mix the above ingredients evenly, press them into pellets with a feed pellet machine, or mix them into a dough with 16% boiling water, press into small cakes, and use after drying in the sun.
2. Common formula for adults: fish meal 4%, cornmeal 15%, wheat bran 75%, edible sugar 4%, feed-grade multivitamins 0.8%, mixed salt 1.2%. The processing method is the same as the larval formula. This formula can increase the egg production of mealworms and prolong the lifespan of adults.
Disease prevention and control of mealworms
1. Mealworm dry-withering disease. Prevention and control: In the hot summer, place the rearing boxes in a cool, ventilated place, or open doors and windows for ventilation, promptly supplement various vitamins and green feed, and sprinkle water on the ground to lower the temperature to prevent this disease. When heating with a coal stove in winter, often use a thermometer and hygrometer to measure the air humidity of the rearing room. Once it is below 55%, sprinkle water on the ground to increase humidity, or increase the moisture in the feed, or provide more green feed to prevent this disease.
2. Mealworm rot disease. Prevention and control: After discovering this condition, immediately reduce or stop feeding vegetable feed, promptly clean up the feces of diseased insects, open doors and windows for ventilation and moisture removal, and promptly pick out the diseased insects that have become soft and black. If there is continuous rainy weather and the indoor humidity is high and the temperature is low, a coal stove can be burned to raise the temperature and remove moisture, providing a suitable temperature.
When raising mealworms, the most important thing is to control temperature, humidity, and light well. Too high or too low a temperature is unfavorable for their growth. Mealworms also require strengthened feeding and disease management in daily care. Only by doing these tasks well can mealworms grow better.