A detailed guide to rearing yellow mealworms in basins: master the breeding method

Rearing yellow mealworms in basins is suitable for a monthly output of 10 kg; it does not require a dedicated person to feed them, and can be done in spare time. The rearing equipment is simple and economical (such as an old washbasin, iron box, wooden crate, etc.), as long as the container is intact, has no breaks or leaks, and has smooth inner walls so the insects cannot escape by climbing out. If the inner walls of the box are not smooth, a ring of tape can be applied to prevent the insects from escaping. In addition, 1 sieve of 60 mesh is needed.

1. After obtaining the insect stock, first carefully select individuals that are large, uniform, vigorous and bright in color, and rear them in a dedicated basin. A container the size of an ordinary washbasin can rear 0.3-0.6 kg of larvae.

2. Put feed into the basin, such as wheat bran, cornmeal, etc., and at the same time put in the larvae stock; the feed should be 10-20% of the insect weight. After 3-5 days, when the insects have finished the feed, sieve out the insect frass with a 60-mesh sieve. Continue to add feed. Appropriately add some water-containing feed such as vegetables and melon and fruit peels.

3. When the larvae pupate, promptly pick out the pupae and store them separately. After 8-15 days, the pupae emerge as adults. Lay a sheet of newspaper on the bottom of the basin or box, then spread a layer of fine feed about 1 cm thick on the paper, and place the emerged adults on the feed. At 25°C, adults begin mating and laying eggs about 6 days after emergence. Yellow mealworms are gregarious insects, and mating and egg laying require a certain population density; rear 1500-3000 insects per sq m of insect box. During the adult egg-laying period, feed better concentrated feed; in addition to mixed feed plus multivitamins, also add an appropriate amount of water-containing feed, such as vegetable leaves and melon and fruit peels.

4. When adults lay eggs, they extend the ovipositor below the feed and lay the eggs on the paper. After 3-5 days, when the egg paper is covered with eggs, it should be replaced with new egg paper. Collect the removed egg paper together and place it in one basin according to the same date, and wait for it to hatch. At an air temperature of 24-34°C, it can hatch in 6-9 days. Newly hatched larvae are very soft and delicate; try not to touch them with your hands, so as to avoid harming them.

5. Place the hatched larvae together for rearing. After 15-20 days, when the feed in the basin has basically been eaten, the insect frass can be sieved out for the 1st time. Use a 60-mesh sieve screen to sieve out the insect frass, and thereafter sieve out the frass once every 3-5 days, while feeding 1 time; the amount of feed added should be based on being eaten up in 3-5 days.

Note: vegetable leaves or melon and fruit peels should be fed 1 day before sieving out the insect frass, and the amount added should be limited to being eaten up by the larvae in 1 night; or sieve out the insect frass before feeding vegetable leaves and melon and fruit peels. The next day, pick out the uneaten vegetable leaves and melon and fruit peels as soon as possible. In summer, prevent excessive humidity in the basin, so as to avoid feed mildew and larval death.