Information+on+Meal+Worms


 * Mealworms are mostly nocturnal and prefer a dark environment.
 * Mealworms prefer to have their body in contact with an object. They do not enjoy open space.
 * Mealworms eat flour, oatmeal, bran, grain or cereal, potato slices, apple slices, grapes and small carrots.
 * They live best in well-ventilated containers with large surface areas and smooth sides, preferably cardboard boxes which are not prone to mold.
 * Mealworms are the larva form of the mealworm beetle, the second stage of their development into a beetle.
 * A mealworm develops 6 legs.
 * Mealworms have exoskeletons.
 * Mealworms are rarely solitary, where there is one there quite often is many (in terms of infestation).
 * Mealworms are most lively and active when exposed to warm temperatures (21-26 celsius). Exposing mealworms to cooler temperatures will cause their activity to reduce significantly. Therefore, if you notice your mealworms are not moving, don't worry! When a mealworm dies, it will turn black and become brittle. To liven your mealworms up, simply place them in a warm environment for 30-60 minutes.

**Stage Two:** Larva - Depending on conditions, this stage will take between 3 to 10 weeks. As they eat they become too large for their hard exo-skeletons and shed their skin several times. **Stage Three:** The pupal stage lasts about 3 weeks. The mealworm will do a complete metamorphosis into the beetle. **Stage Four:** When the adult beetle first comes out of the pupa it is a grey colour and eventually turns brown and then finally black. It has wings but cannot fly and will live for 3 to 4 weeks. The female will lay eggs before she dies and the life cycle starts over again.
 * Stage One:** Egg - The female beetle will lay around 275 eggs that are 1 mm long and will take 4 weeks to hatch.

http://www.mr-strauss.com/MealwormLifeCycle.html