Do mealworms become beatles?

[intrepidus6]

I had about 40 mealworms in a plastic container and today when I went to feed them I noticed that there was a beatle in there. I know it couldn't have got in from outside because there are no holes big enough.
I would post a pic but my camera is broken but it is red, and mabe 1/2 of an inch long.
If this is what it is, can I breed them or somthing (is there a way to tell the sex?)? And could I feed this beetle to a scorp?

Thanks

 

[Dark Raptor]

Yes. Mealworm it is Tenebrio molitor - darkling beetle. They belong to Holometabola group, so adult insects looks much different than larvae

You can give them to your scorps but don't do this if you wanna breed these beetles

Sexing them is a bit difficult without microscope. Males have longer and more curved front legs (tibia).

 

[intrepidus6]

OK, thanks!
Exactly how do I go about breeding them? And, if I did this do you think my local pet shop would buy any surplus I might have?

 

[Dark Raptor]

Exactly how do I go about breeding them?

Just live them alone. You can give them the same food as for larvae (and you can keep them in the same tank)... they'll do the rest

And, if I did this do you think my local pet shop would buy any surplus I might have?

I think you should ask them. Probably they will buy mealworms, but only in larger quantities.

 

[intrepidus6]

Cool, I think I'll give it a shot. I've wanted to breed somthing, so mealworms will be a good start, then mabe I can work my way up to scorps or somthing.

 

[intrepidus6]

Well, I believe I have a breeding colony up and running. I have seperated the different stages into different containers, and I guess only time will tell if I am succesfull...

 

[arachnocat]

My first experience with the mealworm beetles was when my husbands scorpion died. We had been feeding him giant mealworms and when I dumped out the tank there were tons of GIANT beetles in there. They were HUGE! 1.5" at least. Creepy!

 

[intrepidus6]

I just got my second beetle! Hopefully I have one male and one female now...

 

[ScorpDude]

If you want to know how to breed mealworms, take a look at the guide on my website:

http://www.exotic-pets.eu/mealworms.php