Order Coleoptera Genus Tenebrio Higher classification Mealworm Beetle | Family Tenebrionidae Scientific name Tenebrio obscurus Rank Species | |
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Similar Beetle, Mealworm Beetle, Insect, Darkling beetle, Destructive flour beetle | ||
Culturing mini mealworms tenebrio obscurus actually a different species
Tenebrio obscurus, or the dark mealworm, is a species of darkling beetle. The larvae, when used as feeder insects for reptile and amphibian pets, are known as mini mealworms. These insects should not be confused with younger mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) or with the confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum), which is also occasionally used as a reptile feeder insect.
Contents
- Culturing mini mealworms tenebrio obscurus actually a different species
- Mini mealworms tenebrio obscurus unboxing and feeding response test
- References
Mini mealworms would probably remain largely unknown, if not for the reptile pet industry. In the search for easy to raise insects to use as food for captive reptiles and amphibians, mini mealworms have recently attracted interest as an ideal food item for smaller species.
The larvae resemble very small mealworms, about ½ to ¾ inch (12 to 19 mm) in size. Once they reach adult size, the larvae pupate, and later emerge as small, black beetles.
Mini mealworms tenebrio obscurus unboxing and feeding response test
