Mealworms are part of the darkling beetles family, found worldwide and composed of a number of species between 12,000 and 15,000. The adult form is often black or dark brown-red color with hardened front wings, wide rounded had and a lenght of 13-16 mm. The larva, which is yellow to pale reddish brown in color, grow up to 32 mm in length. Mealworms in the wild are considered pest, they attack graineries and stored foods, eating grain, bran and cerials causing damages. On the other side, they are commonly bred as food for birds, rodents, frogs, and lizards. Darkling beetles use as feeders include superworms and the lesser-known mini mealworms. (more…)