Superworms turn into pupae. After two weeks, pupae turn into darkling beetles, also called Morio beetles or Zophobas beetles. Superworms are Zophobas darkling beetle larvae. Keep them at 75°F-80°F (24°C-26°C) with fresh, nutritious food to make them grow faster.
To let superworms pupate, isolate a single well-fed larva without food in a dark box. Superworms undergo complete metamorphosis to become darkling beetles. Understanding their life cycle helps keep them healthy.
Superworms are great for feeding many reptiles, amphibians, fish and birds. They are larger wax worms, excellent high-protein food, and easy to breed and care for.
Adult beetles mate and lay eggs that hatch into larvae. The pupal stage lasts 2-3 weeks before beetles emerge. Only beetles reproduce.
The pupal stage is the most difficult part of breeding. Superworms cannot evolve, only transform into stages of their fixed life cycle. The beetle lifecycle takes 2-3 months depending on temperature.
Soldier fly larvae have a balanced calcium:phosphorus ratio safe for reptiles. Phoenix worms are the only calcium-rich feeders that can be fed as a staple without dusting.
It takes 7-10 days alone for superworms to mature into beetles. Superworms are over an inch long with hard exoskeletons, so limit them to 2-3 times a week. Adult beetles live 3-4 months, laying the most eggs from 2-12 weeks.
Are superworms edible for humans?
Superworms are edible for humans. They can be cooked and eaten as a snack or a meal. Based on dry matter, superworms have a protein content of about 43-47%, a fat content of about 18%, and a fiber content of about 3%.
Superworms are a potential food source for humans due to their high nutritional value and low environmental impact. They are currently being researched as a possible alternative to meat. Superworms have a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture. They can be fried, baked, roasted, or boiled. Superworms are consumed by humans in some countries, such as Mexico and Thailand. They are rich in protein and essential amino acids. They can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional animal protein sources.
Superworms are accepted by pets. Their tendency to bite can pose a danger to pets. Crushing the head can avert this. Fruits and vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, apples, and carrots, are good sources of nutrition and moisture for superworms. Oats, wheat bran, or chicken meal are good dry foods. Without sufficient wet foods, worms will start devouring each other. Wet foods should be replaced when moldy or rotten.
One insect with potential as food and feed is the superworm. Superworms are wormlike larvae with six legs and a segmented body. They can be different colors. Their body is usually tan, with a black/dark brown head, and black/dark brown stripes on the end.
Mealworms are processed into insect food items like mealworm powder which you can buy pure or flavored. Both mealworms and superworms are edible for humans. Mealworms contain more protein than superworms.
What do Morio worms turn into?
Morio worms, called giant Mealworms, Zophobas morio, differ from standard live Mealworms, Tenebrio monitor. Both change into Darkling beetles. Your Morio mealworms can be pre-fed nutrients in gut loading.
To mature Morio worms into darkling beetles, keep them alone 7–10 days. They will then emerge from their pupal stage as beetles. Superworms can bite, unlike mealworms. Many insectivores like their movement.
Superworms and beetles are docile, not threatening humans. Morio worms are beetle larvae. Both the worm and beetle can be fed, however the exoskeleton is hard to digest. Pick them up with tongs, put them in a bag with vitamins before a mealworm bowl. They burrow, so curved edges prevent escaping.
Zophobas morio larvae are called Superworms, King Worms, Morio Worms or Zophobas. Full grown larvae pupate, emerging as large, light beetles darkening over time. Darkling beetles go unnoticed, attracted to animal waste. Adult beetles lay eggs in fecal matter, larvae feed there.
It takes 2-4 months for a super worm life cycle. Some keep them as pets due to low maintenance. They can bite if threatened but bites don’t harm humans.
To mature superworms into beetles, keep alone 7-10 days. They will emerge from pupae as darkling beetles. High protein and fat make them good reptile, amphibian, fish and bird feed. They survive 1-2 weeks without eating. Warm temperatures prevent hibernation.
Super worms become adult Zophobas Beetles through larva to beetle development. Mating male beetles fertilize mature female eggs over time.
Superworms are healthy protein. Crunchy, taste like toasted bread – good to start entomophagy. Eat whole from the bag. Superworm beetles can’t fly. Not poisonous.
Once beetles develop, collect in plastic tub with edible substrate and fruit/vegetables. Soon have baby worms and repeat.
Breeding superworms at home – how hard? Rather cheap pet food, not always steadily available.
How long will superworms last?
Superworms last 6-12 months if kept properly. The better the care, the fewer die before feeding them off. To mature superworms into beetles, keep them alone 7–10 days. Upon maturation, they emerge from pupal stage as beetles.
Too much moisture kills superworms. Too little moisture causes cannibalism. Mist the substrate every other day to maintain humidity. Keep temperature 21o-27o C (70-80°F).
Superworms last longer as pupae than mealworms; superworms stay pupae for over three months, mealworms only a few weeks. However, superworms do not last refrigerated, unlike mealworms, as cold doesn’t send them into hibernation.
Excess moisture, heat, and extreme cold commonly cause superworms to die. Condensation along container walls or mold in substrate also causes die-off.
Red wiggles can go two weeks without food. After that, they move on if possible or die out. If leaving them unattended, leave food, adequate bedding and moisture.
It takes 7–14 days for superworm beetles to lay eggs. Beetles prefer darkness, but 70–80 degrees encourages breeding. Eggs are within egg crates and substrate.
Each female beetle lays approximately 500 eggs. Ideal to harvest bedding for eggs every 2-4 weeks.
Superworms are larval form of Zophobas morio, a darkling beetle. The life cycle includes larval, pupal and adult stages. Superworms are often available as feeders since they grow over 2 inches long and are voracious eaters.
Superworms live 6 months to a year if with other superworms. Keep at room temperature, do not refrigerate. Superworm breeding takes 3-4 months for food size worms again.