cannibalism.

[Bloodletting]

Are meal worm beetles cannibalistic? There were about 12 dark beetles eating this lighter one. It was very odd. They ate it down right to the head. It was sitll alive.

I have seen my crickets all turn on one but not the beatles and I have been raising mealies for years. Every once in a while I get a lighter one. I am starting a colony using just the lighter ones to see what happens.

k, Thanks,

Scott

 

[xelda]

Yup. The beetles are very cannibalistic, especially when there's no source of moisture available. I've seen them eat pupae, pupae transitioning into beetles, and each other (particularly the heads). If you've never seen it happen before, then you must be taking very good care of your mealworms.

 

[Bloodletting]

They are fed very well. I keep constant veggies in there with them. I thought they just didn't like the lighter one and decided to eat him.

Thx.

Scott

 

[arizona]

If I don't keep an eye on my superworms, they will eat each other up. Gotta keep em stocked up on potatoes, apples and baby carrots.

 

[JohnxII]

Even if they get enough moisture from veg etc., they prefer eating smelly juicy raw meat. Try throwing in an injured adult cricket... the worms and beetles will swamp it!

 

[arizona]

Hehe,No way potatoe and apple slices are way easier for me to clean up. and they don't stink.