The black mealworm is both a stored-product pest and a valuable feeder insect

The black mealworm is an insect of the genus Tenebrio in the family Tenebrionidae, a close relative of the common yellow mealworm, also known as the breadworm, and it is fairly similar to it in both appearance and habits. Its adults are blackish brown in body color, and the larvae are also rather dark, which is where the name "black mealworm" comes from. In natural environments they often hide in granaries, flour mills and piles of grain by-products, making them a common stored-product pest.

The black mealworm goes through four stages in its life: egg, larva, pupa and adult, among which the larval stage is longer and is also the main stage used by humans. The larvae like to live in groups and fear strong light, usually staying in the lower layers of the feed, and when disturbed they quickly burrow deeper. They are very omnivorous and can feed on wheat bran, rice bran, flour, as well as vegetable leaves and fruit peels, so their requirements for rearing sites are not particularly high.

Because the larvae have a relatively high protein content, black mealworms are often used as live feed for ornamental birds, reptile pets, fish and poultry. Compared with the yellow mealworm, its reproduction rate and population yield are usually somewhat lower, but in some regions people still raise them specifically as a supplementary source of feeder insects. In addition, they can feed on the by-products of grain processing, helping to convert organic waste to a certain extent.

In daily rearing, the environment should be kept dry and well ventilated; once the feed gets damp it easily grows mold and may also attract mites and other nuisances. If you want to prevent them from causing damage in storage environments, grain should be stored in a dry, sealed place and leftover crumbs cleaned up promptly. Overall, the black mealworm is both a stored-product pest to guard against and a feeder insect with useful value; the key lies in how it is managed and directed.