Bugs in Mealworm colony

[kupo969]

I have two bins: one for mealies and one for the beetles. I fed them potatoes two days ago and now today when removing before molding I saw some little light brown beetles about 2-3mm long. I can't get a pic as there is no way my camera can get that. I saw one in the worm bin and 4-5 in the beetle bin.

Any idea what these things are? They look just like mealworm beetles.

 

[Autumnvicky]

Mealworm beetles when they first come out of the cocoon/pupa look light in color then darken as they harden their new shells and get older.

 

[kupo969]

I keep the pupae in a diff container. These beetles were 2-3mm long, minature.

 

[Matt K]

I have seen those in my mealworm bin and many of my roach bins too. The have been around for a long time and are just like a micro-mealworm, and do not seem to cause a problem of any kind. Though I would recommend you keep food items in your pantry in sealed containers.. (oatmeal, cereal, rice/beans, etc.) ...never really looked into exactly what they are though....

 

[vohnholley]

aBOUT YOUR COLONY

if you have forign bugs in your bins you need to get rid of it and start over. These can destroy your colony in no time flat. They are more than likely a grain beetle and trust me they cannot be gotten rid of!!!

 

[Matt K]

They can not be gotten rid of, but have been in my cultures for at least a few years and have not destroyed anything.

 

[calum]

sounds like dermestids perhaps, or some other simmilar sp..

 

[kupo969]

Aren't grain beetles black with this little snout like a mosquito?