Tiny beetle (and worms) in Superworm enclosure...

[TN ANTMAN]

Ok, so as I was going through my Superworm culture I happened to notice a pupa that looked liked a Superworm "alien" but a LOT smaller. It got me curious so i then started looking around and started finding worms that moved like supers but smaller and darker in color. Then finally I found what I believe to be the bettle they will turn into. It's black and about 1/4" in length. I'm not sure at all what kinda of beetle it is but it has me worried a bit...has anyone ever discovered the same thing? The little worms look to max out around 1/2" or so...i plan on doing a total substrate change but that's where I'm curious to know if it would be a waste and if its ok to just let them habitate together. I found the pupa in my super breeding box (with super beetles and baby supers) and the worms in my main super colony (there's a few 1.5" supers left in there atm). Any help is greatly appreciated. And if needed, I shall get pics of the beetle, a worm, and the pupa in just a bit. And just to clarify, the worms im talking about, they arent baby superworms...ive bred supers many times and know all about supers lol...(not everything im sure but enough to say what I'm seeing isn't superworms! )

 

[basin79]

Ok, so as I was going through my Superworm culture I happened to notice a pupa that looked liked a Superworm "alien" but a LOT smaller. It got me curious so i then started looking around and started finding worms that moved like supers but smaller and darker in color. Then finally I found what I believe to be the bettle they will turn into. It's black and about 1/4" in length. I'm not sure at all what kinda of beetle it is but it has me worried a bit...has anyone ever discovered the same thing? The little worms look to max out around 1/2" or so...i plan on doing a total substrate change but that's where I'm curious to know if it would be a waste and if its ok to just let them habitate together. I found the pupa in my super breeding box (with super beetles and baby supers) and the worms in my main super colony (there's a few 1.5" supers left in there atm). Any help is greatly appreciated. And if needed, I shall get pics of the beetle, a worm, and the pupa in just a bit. And just to clarify, the worms im talking about, they arent baby superworms...ive bred supers many times and know all about supers lol...(not everything im sure but enough to say what I'm seeing isn't superworms! )

Have a few meal worms not got sent with the morio's and are just breeding?

 

[The Seraph]

Pictures would indeed be helpful. I am inclined to agree with Basin though.

 

[Patherophis]

Description sounds more like Alphitobius (T. molitor are much bigger then the size given by OP). They are sometimes used as cleaners at feeders colonies. Photos would help.

 

[basin79]

Description sounds more like Alphitobius (T. molitor are much bigger then the size given by OP). They are sometimes used as cleaners at feeders colonies. Photos would help.

OP didn't mention they where furry though that's why I didn't mention those. Dermestid beetles are phenomenal. I love finding the larvae in with livefood hoping a get a good colony to keep my big livefood tub clean.

 

[Patherophis]

OP didn't mention they where furry though that's why I didn't mention those. Dermestid beetles are phenomenal. I love finding the larvae in with livefood hoping a get a good colony to keep my big livefood tub clean.

Dont confuse Alphitobius with dermestids, Alphitobius is tenebrionid and has typical tenebrionid larvae.

 

[Dennis Nedry]

OP didn't mention they where furry though that's why I didn't mention those. Dermestid beetles are phenomenal. I love finding the larvae in with livefood hoping a get a good colony to keep my big livefood tub clean.

Not to mention they can clean skulls for some really cool collections. Though they will destroy any preserved insects you might have if they get the chance

 

[Mirandarachnid]

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/beetles/red_flour_beetle.htm

Flour beetle? These are sold as feeder cultures, so if this is what you found, should be fine to let them cohab. Also gives you a good food source for tiny mouths.

 

[TN ANTMAN]

Here's the beetle... give me a few mins and ill post a pic of the worms as well. To me, they don't resemble meal worms but just a few mins...
Next pic is justfor size reference...its a mini BiC lighter so keep that in mind.

 

[TN ANTMAN]

Looking up Alphitobius, they do look almost identical. Still though, opinions for more experienced keepers would be appreciated. Heres another pic of the beetle though...

 

[Patherophis]

Definitely Alphitobius

 

[TN ANTMAN]

May I ask why exactly they are in there lol? And is it ok for them to co-habitate with my supers?

 

[Patherophis]

May I ask why exactly they are in there lol? And is it ok for them to co-habitate with my supers?

You probably brought some with Zophobas-es, they should be fine together.