Key Points and Methods of Mealworm Rearing and Management Techniques

The mealworm, commonly known as the breadworm, is a succulent soft-bodied animal with a fat content and a protein content of up to 50%. In addition, it also contains various trace elements such as phosphorus, potassium, iron, sodium and aluminum, as well as 13 kinds of amino acids essential for animal growth. Per 100 grams of dry product, the amino acid content is as high as 874.9 milligrams, and its various nutritional components rank first among all kinds of feed.

Rearing of mealworm larvae: Before rearing, first place bran sifted through a gauze screen and other feed into rearing boxes, basins and other containers, then put in the mealworms, with the larval density being appropriate when they cover the container. Finally, place vegetable leaves on top, letting the insects live among the bran and vegetable leaves and feed freely. Replace with new feed about once every week. When the larvae grow to 20 mm, they can be fed to animals. Generally, when the larvae grow to 30 mm, their color changes from yellow-brown to pale, and their food intake decreases; this is the late stage of mature larvae, and they will soon enter the pupation stage. Newly formed pupae are silvery white and gradually turn pale yellow-brown. Newly formed pupae should be picked out promptly and managed together, and the temperature and humidity should be adjusted well to prevent mildew.

After 12-14 days, they emerge as moths. Rearing of moths: Place the emerged moths in a container and feed them bran and green vegetables. After 2 weeks, their body color gradually turns dark brown, and they then begin to lay eggs. On the paper placed under the egg-laying box, a thin layer of bran should be sprinkled, and the eggs fall from the mesh holes into the bran below. After about 7-10 days, the larvae can hatch. Precautions: Pesticides must strictly not be stored in the rearing room, and moldy or spoiled feed should not be fed.