Feeding Techniques on Tenebrio
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June 24 11:07:05, 2025
Tenebrio mealworms, commonly known as breadworms, are rich in crude protein, essential amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. They also contain a metamorphic hormone that promotes growth, enhances disease resistance, and improves immunity. These worms are widely used as high-quality feed for yellow frogs, bullfrogs, fish, tropical fish, ornamental birds, scorpions, and other animals. Below are the detailed breeding techniques:
Darkening larvae and adults prefer dark environments. Adults tend to hide in corners or under leaves and debris, while larvae burrow about 1 to 3 cm into grains or flour. If the larval density is too low, their growth rate slows down. Increasing the density appropriately can speed up development. However, larvae cannot survive when temperatures exceed 30°C. Both adults and larvae have cannibalistic tendencies; they may eat eggs, other larvae, or even each other if overcrowded. Therefore, it's important to manage population density carefully.
Tenebrio mealworms are omnivorous and can consume a wide variety of feeds, including rice bran, wheat bran, mixed grains, vegetables, fruit peels, and seeds. A common feed mixture consists of 80% wheat bran, 10% yellow corn powder, and 10% peanut cake powder. A balanced diet not only supports faster growth but also reduces feed costs. On the other hand, feeding them only coarse materials can lead to slow development, weak individuals, and lower reproductive rates.
Temperature plays a crucial role in Tenebrio development. They are cold-resistant, with mature larvae able to survive at -4°C. Young larvae, however, die at around 0°C. The ideal temperature range for development is between 8°C and 32°C, with the fastest growth occurring at 35°C. Prolonged exposure to this temperature increases the risk of disease. Above 35°C, growth declines rapidly, and temperatures above 38°C are lethal. Once larvae reach the fourth instar, if the temperature exceeds 26°C and the feed moisture reaches about 15%, the internal temperature of the group can rise by more than 10°C. At this point, cooling measures should be taken to prevent overheating.
Moisture levels are also important. Tenebrio can survive on feed with less than 10% moisture, but growth slows in very dry conditions. The ideal feed moisture is around 15%, with an air humidity of 70%. When moisture rises to 18% and humidity reaches 85%, growth slows, and diseases become more common, especially in adults. The entire life cycle of Tenebrio molitor takes about 60 days, with larvae ready for sale within 30 to 50 days.
After emerging, adult mealworms should be moved to egg-laying boxes before their bodies turn dark brown. The box size is typically 60cm x 40cm x 13cm, with wire mesh (2–3mm) on the bottom to prevent escape. The sides are lined with tin or glass to keep adults contained. A wooden board is placed on the bottom, covered with paper, and then a 1cm layer of mixed feed is added, along with dried mulberry or leguminous leaves. The environment should remain stable in temperature and humidity. If the temperature is high and humidity is low, additional coverings can help maintain optimal conditions.
Adults live for up to three months and continuously feed and lay eggs. They should be fed 1–2 times daily, with feed spread over the leaves. After three months, adults die and should be removed to avoid waste. Eggs hatch in 7–10 days and should be sifted after seven days to remove debris. Hatching boxes should be clean and well-ventilated, with layers separated by wooden strips. In dry weather, a layer of leaves can be added to the eggs. Within ten days, all larvae will hatch and continue to grow in the incubator.
Disease prevention is critical. Common issues include flea infestations, blight, soft rot, and predation. Fleas are a major problem from July to September, so feed must be stored properly. Sterilizing grains and removing waste regularly helps prevent infestations. Blight starts with drying from the head and tail, often due to high temperatures and lack of green feed. Keeping the environment cool and adding vitamins and greens can help. Soft rot occurs during rainy seasons, caused by excessive moisture and poor ventilation. Reducing vegetables, cleaning pests, and adjusting temperature can prevent this. Predators like rats, ants, and chickens must be controlled to protect the colony.