Mealworm progress

[Blackbrook Eye]

I will post this in the British bird forum as that is where the original started back in October.
This morning I took delivery of a new ring flash, to complement my macro lens, and wishing to give it a try out, started looking for a suitable subject, I had almost given up looking for overwintering bugs, couldn't find anything anywhere, until I realised that I had two cartons of mealworms that are my breeding stock from an idea started last October, having read about such enterprises in a post on this site.
In all honesty I had not given the mealworms much thought since before Christmas, as they need very little attention other than putting a bit of fresh apple in the carton now and again. To my surprise some of them had begun to change from lavea into pupae, shedding their skins in the process, it is quite interesting to watch. It shouldnt be long now before I have beatles which is the next milestone in the enterprise. I've popped a few pics on for others who might find it interesting.

[nightshade]

Good shooting ,I have not really looked at mealworms properly before the beetle will be interesting

[Dogghound]

Very interesting photo's of the larvae and pupa. Mealworms are the larval stage of a species of darklin beetle Tenebrio molitor. They are very easy to breed, dont let them get out though they can be quite a pest in houses.

[juliejam]

Some nice clear shots ...well done

I buy these in for the Spider and the birds...leaving some to pupae and then into the Darklin Beetle...I can remember putting some out for the birds and watching the starlings picking them off one by one..


Julie

[jamiewade94]

i bought some dried mealworms for the robin who visited ym garden every 10 minutes. It would come to our garden, take some mealworms and bring them for its chicks in its nest. Then it would come back again! It was so lovely to see.