Detailed Explanation of Key Points and Management Methods for Superworm Breeding Technology
Superworms, also known as Zophobas morio, are larvae of a species in the family Tenebrionidae. The fully mature larvae of superworms can reach a maximum body length of about 6 cm, and their nutritional value far exceeds that of other insects in the same family. In overseas professional fish farms and high-end pet breeding facilities, superworms are used as an important live bait. With the rapid development of our country's economy and the improvement of people's living standards, the demand for high-quality animal protein is growing ever larger, and livestock and poultry production must also develop rapidly accordingly. However, the severe shortage of protein resources affects the development of the livestock industry. Therefore, many countries currently regard artificial insect rearing as the main direction for solving the problem of protein feed sources.
Preparation for Superworm Breeding
1. Environmental conditions for superworms: Superworms have a relatively wide range of adaptability to environmental conditions, but there is an optimal range. Among all environmental factors, temperature has the greatest effect on their growth and development. Therefore, keeping superworms at the optimal temperature required for growth and development is a favorable guarantee for achieving high and stable yields in superworm breeding production. Requirements of superworms for environmental conditions during growth and development. Every month, quicklime should be used in the corners of the site and along the walkways for disinfection, then cleared away after 2 days.
2. Superworm rearing equipment: The following basic rearing equipment must be available for superworm breeding.
① Superworm rearing site: Superworm breeding can make full use of idle empty rooms to form a certain production scale. The rooms used must have wall corner holes and gaps sealed, floors smoothed with cement, and be freshly painted, so as to achieve the purposes of preventing rats, eliminating ants, blocking geckos, and maintaining cleanliness. Before use, the site should be disinfected with potassium permanganate dissolved in water. 100-0.002 disinfection
② Standard superworm rearing trays: Factory-scale production requires rearing utensils of consistent specifications to facilitate the determination of process flows and technical parameters. Based on many years of breeding experience, our company has preliminarily set the superworm rearing box as follows: outer dimensions 80 cm long, 40 cm wide, 10 to 12 cm high; inner dimensions 78.5 cm long, 38.5 cm wide, 12 cm high. The bottom of the rearing tray can be made of three-ply or five-ply board. This can ensure that superworm larvae and adults will not climb out along the walls.
③ Superworm rearing racks: In order to improve the utilization rate of the production site, our company recommends that the rearing racks be 4 m long, 2 m high, and 40 cm wide. For practicality and cost reduction, in rural areas, self-designed racks can be made according to specific conditions and local circumstances, provided that the standard dimensions are guaranteed.
④ Superworm separation sieves: Prepare 20-mesh, 40-mesh, and 50-mesh iron wire mesh or nylon mesh respectively, and use 1 cm thick wooden boards to make frames around them into separation sieves, used for separating larvae from frass.
⑤ Superworm oviposition trays: The specifications of the oviposition trays are unified with those of the standard rearing trays.
⑥ Others: In addition, prepare thermometers, hygrometers, old newspapers or coarse paper, and cleaning tools.
3. Superworm feed
① Superworm concentrated feed formula: Superworms are omnivorous insects. The concentrated feed can be prepared with 70% wheat bran, 10% corn flour, 5% flour, 3% bean dregs, 10% fine rice bran, and 2% white sugar. Green feed can use vegetable leaves, melon and fruit peels, radishes, potatoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, etc.
② Feed — decaying debris (organic waste resources from industry and agriculture)
Both superworm larvae and adults prefer relatively dry feed, and the feed moisture content is best kept at around 15%. The breeding stock population is fed fermented wheat bran or other mixed concentrated feed throughout the whole process. After hatching, the production population is fed fermented wheat bran (0.2 jin) for 10 days, then fed fermented bran powder (2.5-3.0 jin) for 30-40 days, and then fed fermented wheat bran (0.3-0.5 jin) for another 10 days.
4. Selection and breeding of superior superworm stock: In any livestock or crop farming, varieties have a huge effect on production. In superworm production, the variety effect is equally important. Without good breeding stock, superworm breeding or industrial superworm breeding cannot be carried out.
5. Disease prevention for superworms: ① In the rearing room, natural enemies such as ants, flies, cockroaches, rats, and geckos must be strictly prevented from entering. ② Utensils must be disinfected monthly. ③ Pesticides must be strictly prohibited in the room. ④ Dead insects should be removed promptly to avoid mildew and spoilage that could cause outbreaks of epidemic diseases. ⑤ Standing water in the feed or water droplets seen in the rearing trays are strictly prohibited. ⑥ Prevention of diseases.
Superworm Breeding Technology
1. Superworm larvae
The larval growth period of superworms is generally 120-180 days. Under optimal temperature and humidity conditions, the growth period is 90-120 days, with an average growth period of 100 days, generally 10-15 instars.
The habits of superworm larvae are the same as those of adults, but different feeds directly affect larval growth and development. A reasonable feed formula and better nutrition can promote feeding by superworm larvae, accelerate growth speed, and reduce breeding production costs. Larvae prefer darkness. Group rearing of larvae is more beneficial to growth than scattered rearing. Due to movement and friction among grouped individuals, body fluid circulation and digestion can be promoted, and vitality enhanced. The feed for larvae is relatively simple. Newly hatched small larvae are about 2 to 3 mm, with soft body walls and a white color. Because newly hatched superworm larvae have difficulty feeding, some fine feed such as wheat flour and barley flour should be appropriately added.
When superworm larvae molt, they often climb and float on the surface of the group. Newly molted superworm larvae are milky white, very fragile, and this is also the period when they are most vulnerable to injury. After about two hours, they gradually turn dark brown, and the body wall also hardens accordingly. Under normal temperature and humidity, it takes 3 to 5 minutes for mature superworm larvae to begin molting their shells, and it takes two to three minutes for mature superworm larvae to begin molting their shells and become pupae. The most suitable growth temperature for superworm larvae is 30 degrees above zero, and the humidity is about 60%. Green feed must be fed daily in the larval diet. The speed of superworm larval growth is directly related to green feed. The main feed (wheat bran) is indispensable, but to make superworm larvae grow at the fastest speed, green feed must not be interrupted. Superworm larvae eat the main feed (wheat bran) very slowly when there is no green feed, and if they eat the main feed slowly, they grow slowly. How can you tell whether superworm larvae lack green feed or have been fed too much? The simplest method is to turn over the feed and insects in the rearing box with your hand. If it feels a bit hot and very dry, it is time to feed green feed.
Rearing of superworm larvae: Before rearing, first place bran and other feed that have been sifted through a gauze mesh into rearing boxes, trays, and other utensils, then put in the superworm larvae. The density of superworm larvae should be based on covering the utensils, with a maximum thickness of no more than 3-5 cm. Finally, spread vegetable leaves on top, allowing the insects to live between the bran and the vegetable leaves, and let them feed freely. About once every week, sift out the frass once. For the feed used for producing and harvesting superworm larvae, cooking should be carried out on the basis of a determined formula, supplemented with additives and feeding attractants, so as to promote larval feeding and accelerate growth. The feed for breeding larvae and egg-laying adults should aim to ensure their nutritional adequacy and the nutritional needs for egg laying (long egg-laying period, high vitality). Generally, when superworm larvae reach a body length of 60 mm, their color changes from dark brown to lighter, and their food intake decreases. This is the late stage of mature larvae, and they will soon enter the pupation stage.
2. Superworm pupae
Superworm larvae generally do not pupate in the rearing box, or once they pupate, they will be eaten by other larvae. When newly emerged, superworm pupae are milky white, with a relatively soft and long body wall. After a few minutes, the body shape quickly changes from slender to short and thick as it pupates into a pupal body. After a day, it gradually turns pale yellow, and the body wall also becomes harder. Superworm pupae can only twist their abdomens and cannot crawl. When selecting pupae as breeding stock, you can pinch the tail of the superworm pupa with two fingers. Generally, healthy superworm pupae will vibrate their pupal bodies to resist external intrusion. The stronger the vibration, the stronger the vitality of the superworm pupa. Both superworm adults and superworm larvae may use pupae as feed at any time. Under suitable temperature and humidity control, 98% of superworm pupae can successfully enter the eclosion stage. Only a very few will die during eclosion. The temperature during the superworm pupal stage must not fluctuate between high and low, otherwise it will reduce the survival rate of pupation. When collecting superworm pupae, they must not be piled or stacked, but evenly spread flat in the rearing box. The distance between pupae is best when they do not touch. During the pupal stage, preventive measures must be fully taken to guard against invasion by rats, geckos, and birds.
Management during the superworm pupal stage: Newly formed superworm pupae are milky white, gradually becoming light yellow-brown and dark yellow-brown. Newly formed superworm pupae should be sorted out from the superworm larvae in a timely manner and managed in a centralized way. Temperature and humidity should be adjusted well to prevent mildew in superworm pupae. After 10-13 days, they will emerge as superworm adults. During this period, temperature and humidity must be strictly controlled. Suitable temperature and humidity determine the eclosion rate. The more suitable the temperature and humidity control, the higher the proportion of superworm adults that emerge, and the highest eclosion rate can reach 95%. What should be noted during the pupal stage is that the temperature should not fluctuate between high and low, otherwise many emerged superworm adults will be deformed. Once emerged superworm adults are deformed, it means they cannot mate and lay eggs normally.
3. Superworm eggs
The incubation period of superworms varies greatly depending on temperature and humidity conditions. When the temperature is 25-30°C, the superworm egg stage is about 8-12 days. When the temperature is 19-22°C, the superworm egg stage is 15-20 days. When the temperature is below 15°C, superworm eggs rarely hatch. Under normal temperature and humidity (25°C-30°C), the incubation cycle of superworm eggs is three to five days. Newly hatched superworm larvae are white in body color and about two mm long. They can crawl but not quickly. Newly hatched superworm larvae cannot directly eat wheat bran. An appropriate amount of concentrated feed such as flour and corn flour should be placed in the feed in the incubation box. After two days, the body color gradually turns light yellow. At this time, the superworm larvae crawl faster and their feeding ability strengthens. An appropriate amount of green feed can be added to the feed. The proportion of green feed is generally one-sixth of the superworms and wheat bran. The living habits of small superworm larvae are very different from those of small yellow mealworm larvae. Small superworm larvae cannot eat wheat bran when they first hatch, so a certain proportion of flour or corn flour should be added to the incubation feed. Small superworm larvae can survive normally without green feed within two days after hatching, but after five days they must be fed green feed or the feed for small superworm larvae must be sprayed with water in a mist form, and glucose or vitamins can be added to the water. The green feed fed should be cut as finely as possible, but there should be no visible vegetable juice or melon and fruit juice, because vegetable and melon/fruit juices will make the feed cake, which is unfavorable for newly hatched superworm larvae to feed. If humidity is too high and temperature too low, these juices will also quickly cause the feed to rot and deteriorate, which is also unfavorable for the growth of superworm larvae.
Collection and incubation of superworm eggs: Attach a slightly thin sheet of coarse paper to the bottom of a standard rearing tray, spread 0.3-0.5 cm thick feed (or frass) on top, and place 600 adults (400 females, 200 males) in each box. Superworm adults will evenly lay eggs on the oviposition paper. Each sheet of paper can receive 10,000-15,000 eggs in 2 days. Remove the oviposition paper once every two days, thus making egg cards. Some eggs also scatter in the feed, which can be ignored or used as covering material during incubation. Place the egg card paper in another standard rearing tray to make an incubation tray. First lay a layer of waste paper (newspaper, paper towels, wrapping paper, coarse paper, etc.) on the bottom of the standard rearing tray, cover it with 0.5 cm thick bran, and place the first egg card on top. On the first egg card, cover another 0.5 cm thick bran, add 3-4 short support sticks in the middle, and place the second egg card on top. Repeat this process, placing 4 egg cards in each tray, totaling about 400,000-600,000 eggs. Then place the incubation tray in an incubation box (see the attached figure after the text for the incubation box), and take it out after 1 week.
4. Superworm adults
Superworm adults have degenerated hind wings and cannot fly, but they crawl quickly and have strong gripping ability. They prefer darkness, fear light, and are more active at night. Under certain conditions, both adults and larvae have cannibalistic habits. Newly emerged adults are milky white. After 2 days, they gradually harden and become yellow-brown, red-brown, or black, and begin feeding, mating, and laying eggs. The lifespan of adults is generally 140-180 days, with an average lifespan of more than 120 days. The peak egg-laying period of females is 10-30 days after eclosion. The number of eggs laid by females is about 400-1,600, with an average egg production of 600 per female. After one mating, the number of eggs laid is about 10 to 18. If management is strengthened, the egg-laying period can be extended and egg production increased. If compound biological feed is used and appropriate temperature and humidity are provided, the average egg production can reach more than 1,200 eggs. The most suitable temperature for superworm adults to lay eggs is 30°C. The humidity is 60%. Adults must be supplied daily with sufficient concentrated feed (such as flour, corn flour, fish meal, meat and bone meal) and green feed (such as pumpkin, cabbage, red radish, winter melon, or various fruits, etc.) to ensure normal egg production. In a standard oviposition box (an 80 by 40 oviposition box), the number of adults placed should be about 800, with the male-to-female ratio according to the natural ratio. At a temperature of about 30°C above zero, change the tray once every 4 or 5 days. The time must not be too long. If it exceeds 5 days, the eggs laid on the first day will hatch. If the tray is not changed in time, the newly hatched small larvae will crawl out onto the surface of the screen. If adults lack green feed, they will devour the young larvae, causing waste of eggs and thereby reducing production. If adults lay eggs on the oviposition paper, the oviposition paper should be collected together in time for incubation, but there will also be eggs in the feed and adult feces at the bottom of the screen, which should be collected uniformly for incubation. The number of eggs in the feed accounts for about one-eighth of the entire oviposition box. The mortality rate of superworm adults is very small. The amount of death at each tray change is about 2%. After adults die, they do not need to be removed in time. Other healthy superworm adults will devour their edible parts. Newly dead superworm adults are also very good high-protein feed. After the superworms have devoured the edible parts, the parts that cannot be devoured (such as the head, antennae, and legs) can be cleaned out when changing trays.
Rearing of superworm adults: Place emerged superworm adults in rearing containers and feed them bran and green vegetables. At first, the body color is grayish white, then gradually changes to light brown. After 1 week, the body color gradually turns dark brown, and at this time they begin to lay eggs. After another 1-2 months, they enter the peak egg-laying period.