How long are mealworms at beetle stage?

[viktoriacl]

I think all of my mealworms are at either the pupae stage or are beetles. I just am not sure how long they are at that stage before they lay eggs and die. I think a few are already dead. I think they were only alive for about a week. Could they be dieing from something else or is this normal?

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

That is very normal. Adults live about 2-3 months (depending of food availability, temperature, etc.) then die. Their bodies are eventually eaten by the worms. Good luck.

 

[artsyrobin]

How is their environment? Put some apple cores or potato in there, they also like damp paper towels in the bedding-

 

[viktoriacl]

I put a carrot in their for something moist. I swith it out when it seems like its drying out. They seem happy.I wonder how many worms I will get from the first batch of beetles? I cant wait!

 

[artsyrobin]

i started out with a cup of about a hundred mealies, and just let them go, they repopulated pretty fast- sounds like yours won't take long!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

viktoriacl, you could give them other things to eat too. I have a page describing how I raise mealworms: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=56638-how-to-raise-mealworms