Black segment line on mealworm?

[rosebuddy]

Anyone know what this is? Had my Grammostola rosea for 9 years now, never seen anything like this in my years of feeding her mealies. Got this batch from an online bait shop (they also advertised for use as pet feeders) still waiting to hear back from them. It’s a black line on one of the segment lines only, fully banded around. And it’s still behaving like a normal mealworm. Almost looks like black ink below the exoskeleton. Like he’s tatted up lol

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Weird I’ve not seen this before.

 

[Brewser]

An Oddity worth pursuing... Grow it out and see what becomes of it.

 

[TheraMygale]

Very interesting. I want to know more!

 

[rosebuddy]

The seller responded back and he said it’s probably a mutation but he also said he gets “albinism” mutations so I’m not sure he’s the most trustworthy. I assumed he meant newly molted ones. Albinism lol first excuse I’ve heard w that! Lots of firsts w this order. I’ve isolated this particular one and am going to see what happens. I’m almost thinking it might’ve been an injury and it’s the bug equivalent of a scab? Who knows but will update

 

[PoetaCorvi]

imo it just looks like a deformity, in some arthropods damage during molts can appear like this.

 

[rosebuddy]

imo it just looks like a deformity, in some arthropods damage during molts can appear like this.

It’s a little rigid in that spot so that would make sense. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t diseased or something. But the rest of the batch seems good. Thanks for confirming

 

[Hisserdude]

Just looks like damage to me. If it molts again it probably won't have the black line.

 

[TheraMygale]

Why not put it aside and raise it and see what happens. At this point, best way to learn.