Mealworm breeding and reproduction methods

Yellow mealworms , also known as mealworms, have larvae containing 60% crude protein, high nutritional value, and significant economic benefits from breeding. Here is an introduction to the breeding and reproduction methods of mealworms.

1. Breeding facilities

Mealworm farming requires a suitable facility, which includes breeding boxes, sieves, waterers and food bowls. The breeding box is used to provide sufficient living space, the sieve is used to screen mealworms of different sizes, the waterer provides the mealworms with necessary water, and the food bowl is used to place food for the mealworms.

2. Suitable temperature

The suitable temperature for the growth and development of mealworms is 15℃～35℃, and the optimum temperature is 26℃～32℃. Under suitable temperature conditions, the normal growth period of mealworm development shortens as the temperature rises.

3. Suitable humidity

The suitable relative humidity of air for mealworms is 40% to 80%. The water required by mealworms is mainly obtained from feed. The moisture content of feed not only affects the absorption of water by mealworms, but also affects the effective utilization of nutrients. The moisture content of feed should not be too high and is generally controlled at around 20%.

4. Feeding

Mealworms have a wide range of food sources. Wheat bran, cornmeal , bean cake, carrots , corn stalks, peanut stalks, peanut shells , vegetable leaves, mung bean skins, tofu dregs, melon and fruit peels, etc. are all raw materials for feeding mealworms. However, in order to produce mealworms as quickly as possible, you can prepare your own compound feed mainly based on wheat bran. The ratio is: 60% wheat bran, 10% corn flour, 10% peanut cake powder, and 20% various foods. It is beneficial to the growth and development of mealworms and saves feed.

5. Reproduction technology

In order to promote the reproduction of mealworms, a suitable environment needs to be provided. This includes a steady food source, suitable temperature and humidity, adequate space, and good ventilation. In addition, it is necessary to regularly separate the hatched larvae and adults during the breeding process to ensure that they are not affected by the adults.

The adults that emerge on the same day are reared in egg-laying sieves at a density of 7,000 to 8,000 per square meter, that is, 1,700 to 2,000 adults are placed on each sieve. Add compound feed for adult insects to eat.

The moisture content of feed is controlled at around 10%. To maintain humidity and moisture content of feed, you can spray water and release vegetable leaves in an appropriate amount. The adult insects will lay most of their eggs on the egg-laying paper through the sieve holes, and only a small number of eggs will stick to the feed. This can prevent the adult insects from eating eggs to the greatest extent.

Replace the egg-laying paper every 1 to 3 days, and sift out residual materials, insect feces and eggs stuck in the feed. Move the sieved eggs and the replaced egg-laying paper into an empty insect box and sprinkle a layer of new material. Mark the spawning date. After hatching, the adults are reared and laid eggs for one month, then the egg-laying is stopped. The adults are scalded to death with boiling water and dried to make insect powder.

6. Notes

Both adults and larvae move by crawling and are very active. If the inner wall of the insect feeding box for artificially raising mealworms is rough, the larvae and adults will easily crawl out. Therefore, the inner wall of the insect feeding box should be as smooth as possible.

Mealworms like to live in groups, which makes them easy to raise in high density. The best stocking density is about 2 kilograms of old larvae or adults per square meter, that is, 6,000 to 7,000 old larvae or adults.

Mealworms are suitable for living in dark environments and do not need light. Therefore, mealworms can be raised in layers to make full use of space. During artificial breeding, mealworms are easily harmed by rats, geckos, ants, mosquitoes and mites, so be sure to pay attention.

That’s it