Feeding Techniques on Tenebrio
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June 24 11:13:17, 2025
Tenebrio mealworms, commonly known as breadworms, are rich in crude protein, various amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. They also contain a metamorphic hormonal substance that promotes growth, enhances disease resistance, and improves immunity. These worms serve as excellent feed for yellow frogs, bullfrogs, fish, tropical fish, ornamental birds, scorpions, and other animals. Below are the breeding techniques:
First, Tenebrio larvae and adults prefer dark environments. Adults hide in dark corners, under leaves, or among debris, while larvae burrow about 1 to 3 cm into grains or flour. If the density is too low, their growth slows down. Increasing the density appropriately speeds up development. However, larvae die when temperatures exceed 30°C. Both adults and larvae have cannibalistic tendencies; they may eat eggs, each other, or even cockroach eggs if placed together in the same container. Once the population reaches a certain level, food competition becomes common.
Second, Tenebrio can be fed a wide variety of foods, including rice bran, wheat bran, mixed grains, vegetables, fruit peels, and kernels. A typical mixed feed formula consists of 80% wheat bran, 10% yellow corn powder, and 10% peanut meal. Providing a diverse diet supports better growth and development, saves feed costs, and avoids nutritional deficiencies. If only roughage is given, growth slows, and the population weakens, leading to smaller individuals and lower reproduction rates.
Third, Tenebrio is cold-resistant. Mature larvae can survive at -4°C, but young larvae die at around 0°C. The minimum survival temperature is -4°C, and development starts at 8°C. The ideal temperature range for growth is 26–32°C, with the fastest development occurring at 35°C. However, prolonged exposure to this temperature increases disease risk. Above 35°C, growth declines rapidly, and at 38°C, it becomes lethal. For larvae above the fourth instar, if the temperature exceeds 26°C and the feed moisture is around 15%, the internal temperature can rise more than 10°C above ambient. At this point, cooling measures must be taken to prevent overheating.
Fourth, Tenebrio can tolerate dry conditions and survive on feed with less than 10% moisture. However, in very dry environments, growth is slow, and the population decreases. The ideal feed moisture content is 15%, with an air humidity of 70%. When feed moisture reaches 18% and air humidity rises to 85%, growth slows, and disease risks increase—especially for adults. The entire life cycle of Tenebrio molitor takes about 60 days, with some reaching marketable size within 30 to 50 days.
Fifth, once adult Tenebrio emerge, they should be moved to egg-laying boxes before their bodies turn dark brown. The box dimensions are usually 60cm x 40cm x 13cm. The bottom is fitted with a wire mesh (2–3mm), which prevents escape without blocking debris. The sides are lined with tin or glass to prevent escape. Before placing adults inside, a board is laid on the bottom, covered with paper, and a 1cm layer of mixed feed is added. Fresh mulberry or legume leaves are placed on top to maintain stable conditions. If the environment is too hot or dry, additional coverings are used. Vegetables help increase moisture and vitamins, but they should not be overfed to avoid rotting. Adults live up to three months and continuously feed and lay eggs, requiring feeding 1–2 times daily.
Sixth, after three months, adult Tenebrio will gradually die and should be removed to save feed and space. Eggs hatch in 7–10 days and should be screened after seven days. During screening, feed and debris are removed to avoid mixing with eggs and larvae. Eggs are then moved to an incubator, similar in size to the adult box but with a wooden base. Multiple egg boxes can be stacked with wooden strips in between for ventilation. In dry seasons, a layer of leaves is placed on the eggs. Within 10 days, all larvae hatch and are kept in the incubator. Before the third instar, no additional feed is added, but leaves are often provided.
Seventh, disease prevention is crucial. Common issues include flea infestations, blight, soft rot, and predation. Fleas are prevalent from July to September, so feed should be sealed and sterilized. Insect waste must be removed regularly. If fleas are found, moving the feed to sunlight for 5–10 minutes helps eliminate them. Blight causes the worm to dry out from head to tail, mainly due to high temperature, dry air, and lack of green feed. Keeping the environment cool and ventilated, adding vitamins, and watering the ground can help. Soft rot occurs in rainy seasons, causing sluggish movement and reduced reproduction. It's caused by excessive moisture and poor ventilation. Reducing vegetable intake, cleaning pests and feces, and improving airflow are key steps. Severely affected worms should be removed and treated with antibiotics like chloramphenicol or sulfamethoxazole. Finally, natural predators such as rats, ants, cockroaches, chickens, ducks, and geese must be controlled during breeding.