Mealworm farming

[hannakat]

Okay...more from the crazy wormie scientist......

Beetle laying egg.

Wormie egg although not the one laid in the photo above. I harvested that one as well but waited a day for it to 'harden'. Edited to add: That's a rolled oat in the photo for size comparison.

Some of my findings for others who enjoy learning about the development.

1. If you try to scoop up an egg too soon, it gets damaged. Wait 24 hours before trying to move a wormie egg.

2. In all the reading I've done about using the 3-drawer system, the feeling is that since the eggs are sticky and attached to something the wee wormies wiggle themselves through the screen into the second drawer. A while back someone mentioned that the eggs fall through the screen but I didn't think they would since they were 'sticky'. What I have found is that the eggs are only 'sticky' on the end where the beetle secures it to a surface. Once the egg 'hardens' a bit, it can be easily dislodged.

Because this has been in the back of my mind, figured I'd find out for myself. I laid a piece of paper in the second drawer to see what fell through. In 24 hours I've had 5 eggs, 0 wee wormies. Gonna keep the piece of paper in there another day or so just to continue the 'research'.

The Mad Wormie Scientist.
Trish

And remember .... the beetles can NOT fly but they move really fast:
weee

 

[WestKnollAmy]

How wonderfully fascinating, Trish! Thank you so much for sharing that!

I want to do experiments like this come winter when I have to be in the house more.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

hannakat, Fantastic observations! Great pics too! I can't wait to see what you find next.

 

[Chicken Chat]

hannakat, I don't know how you found that egg! Really amazing size comparison, it took me a minute to figure out that was a rolled oat next to it.

 

[hannakat]

Quote:
Oops....meant to identify that rolled oat! Sorry. Put it in there for easy comparison. Once you see what an egg looks like, it's possible to find them. Beetles don't often lay eggs on the egg cartons, paper or vegetable matter, but once in a while they do and that's when I find them. Missed collecting a couple cause I thought they'd stay where they were but then they disappeared. Now I have several in 'isolation' and am very excited to see how long they take to hatch and how small they actually are.

*****more rubbing my hands in anticipation*****

The Mad Wormie Scientist
Trish

 

[feliciamckee]

Wow, thanks I will let you know. I remembered you were the one he sent the red wigglers instead of the mealworms right? I have read so many of the posts here I don't remember the other issue. I oredered them early yesterday morning (Mon.) and I think they only ship out on Mondays, so I don't know if they shipped them yesterday or if it will be next week. I will assume it will be next week. I guess I will just have to wait!!!

I hope they do ok. It may even be better if they come next week. We are in the south and are dealing with a heat wave. It has been in the mid 90's all week. Which I know is cool for some parts of the country. I would hate for wormies to die of heat stroke.

 

[hannakat]

Yes, he sent the wigglers by mistake. The other person recieved a bag of dead worms.

Ohhhh...the heat is not good for the wormies! I will send good vibes as well

 

[sadies chicks]

Quote:
Yeah it was gross

but he made up for it and I have two bins of very lively beetles!! I keep meaning to take photos and will soon, it is nuts how many beetles there are!!

GOOD LUCK!! They (as Trish has clearly exampled) are fascinating!!

(and kinda cute

)

 

[feliciamckee]

Quote:
Yeah it was gross

but he made up for it and I have two bins of very lively beetles!! I keep meaning to take photos and will soon, it is nuts how many beetles there are!!

GOOD LUCK!! They (as Trish has clearly exampled) are fascinating!!

(and kinda cute

)

Oh, the poor wormies. At least he made it right. I'm glad your new ones are doing good. I guess I will have plenty of time to decorate their bin. Most of the 3 drawer bins I see in the store are all clear so I am thinking of spray painting the outside of them black to keep the light out. If they don't come for over a week that should be enough time for any fumes to clear out...you think? Or I could make them some drapes!!! Oh wow, I think I have gotten on the Meal Worm Crazy Train!

 

[OwensMom]

felicaiamckee-All Aboard!! You go girl.

Trisch-wow what great pics. You are our Mad Scientist-Can I have a show of hands. We can make it official!!

Now why are my pupa drying up? Asked at the feed store and was told that there was no insect growth inhibitor in the feed. Ciello says not to dry humidity. She is way dryier than I. No growh inhibitor, no mold or fungus. Plenty of food, What else is there??