Mealworms "dyeing"?

[Brohamster]

My mealworms appear in a lifeless form, but they start to move when you pick them up. Are they dead? Or just pupating?

 

[Malum Argenteum]

What temp do you keep them at? What do you feed them? How do you supply them with moisture?

 

[The Snark]

Amazing tie dye shirt, dude!
Like it? My mealworms did it!

Oh. Maybe you meant dying?

 

[Beetles]

Amazing tie dye shirt, dude!
Like it? My mealworms did it!

Oh. Maybe you meant dying?

I think I understand your username now.

 

[The Snark]

I think I understand your username now.

Me be guilty of playing with them thar werds. Cover me in rue and ignore the double entendre.

 

[Hisserdude]

Sounds like they are pre-pupal to me, they will likely molt into pupae in a few days.

 

[Brohamster]

What temp do you keep them at? What do you feed them? How do you supply them with moisture?

I keep them at 67 to 80 I think, I feed them wheat brain, I give them blueberrys blackberrys potato for water.

Sounds like they are pre-pupal to me, they will likely molt into pupae in a few days.

Exactly what I thought.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

I keep them at 67 to 80 I think,

Yes, they're beginning to pupate, or if they'd been kept too cold at the shop you got them from, they're dying.

Mealies keep best at about 50F. Fridge temps start them on the road to death, and room temp lets them complete their life cycle.

If they are pupating, you can start breeding them yourself, which isn't hard at all -- just give food and moist food like you are and harvest whatever larvae you need at the size you need. You'll have worms to feed off in a couple months from now.