What is your take on ‘Giant Mealworms’ as T. feeders?

[BoyFromLA]

When I searched arachnoboard with ‘giant mealworm’, below are the popped up answers.





So apparently, there’s a difference with a mealworm, and a giant mealworm.

I recently ordered 500 giant mealworms without realizing above info, and it pretty much adds up.





Should I just go ahead and feed them to my tarantulas or not?

What would you suggest?

 

[EulersK]

I'd like to see some kind of source backing up the hormone claim. I know that they are irradiated which causes them to never pupate (as they're an invasive species in many areas), but this is the first I've heard about hormones.

But to answer your question, I used to exclusively feed my adult tarantulas giant mealworms. Much easier than crickets.

 

[BoyFromLA]

I used to exclusively feed my adult tarantulas giant mealworms.

Just to make sure we are on the same page, ‘giant mealworms’ you mentioned above are not ‘super worms’ right?

Much easier than crickets.

I totally agree.

 

[StampFan]

I'd like to see some kind of source backing up the hormone claim. I know that they are irradiated which causes them to never pupate (as they're an invasive species in many areas), but this is the first I've heard about hormones.

But to answer your question, I used to exclusively feed my adult tarantulas giant mealworms. Much easier than crickets.

They are mealworms are sprayed with hormone to continue growth, it is true. Giant Mealworms or Kingworms. Did some reading a while back, some type of insect hormone, couldn't find anywhere that it might harm or affect an arachnid.

 

[StampFan]

One reference to the hormone:

https://flukerfarms.com/reptile-u/blogmealworm-vs-superworm/

 

[viper69]

some kind of source backing up the hormone claim

It's on the net, then it's true, ya doubtin' debby!

 

[viper69]

Wonder what this hormone is, and its effects on arachnids?

 

[ThisMeansWAR]

Are we sure we are not talking about the "Zophobas morio", the superworm?

Edit: just saw the same question earlier.

I wouldn't want to feed my tarantulas any mutant species, sprayed with hormones, gene-hacked or otherwise. Why not just stick with the staple?

 

[ThisMeansWAR]

When I searched arachnoboard with ‘giant mealworm’, below are the popped up answers.

View attachment 260906

View attachment 260907

Should I just go ahead and feed them to my tarantulas or not?

What would you suggest?

The worms in the photo you posted really look like Z. morio except lighter bands, don't it?

 

[StampFan]

Wonder what this hormone is, and its effects on arachnids?

Juvenile hormone.

 

[StampFan]

Are we sure we are not talking about the "Zophobas morio", the superworm?

Edit: just saw the same question earlier.

I wouldn't want to feed my tarantulas any mutant species, sprayed with hormones, gene-hacked or otherwise. Why not just stick with the staple?

I've purchased both recently, and frankly, the ecdysterone-treated "kingworms" aren't that much bigger than my big mealworms, and frankly cost more. Makes more sense just to buy superworms (ie Morio worms) if you need something bigger.

 

[athlete96]

I've purchased both recently, and frankly, the ecdysterone-treated "kingworms" aren't that much bigger than my big mealworms, and frankly cost more. Makes more sense just to buy superworms (ie Morio worms) if you need something bigger.

Superworms are also a bit easier to keep than any mealworm (I find).

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Just to make sure we are on the same page, ‘giant mealworms’ you mentioned above are not ‘super worms’ right?

Mealworms are the larvae of Tenebrio molitor.
Superworms (or morio worms) are the larvae of Zoophobas morio.

All of my subadults/adults get supers unless I need to have a cull of MM lats.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

I wouldn't want to feed my tarantulas any mutant species, sprayed with hormones, gene-hacked or otherwise. Why not just stick with the staple?

Not so fast. How do you think those 12" DLS L. parahybanas we hear about are produced?

 

[cold blood]

Superworms are also a bit easier to keep than any mealworm (I find).

Mealworms can be stored in the fridge, and therefore require zero effort to keep, making them the easiest, most hassle free worm to keep. Supers will kill and eat each other at times.

All worms are easy to deal with and keep though

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Mealworms can be stored in the fridge, and therefore require zero effort to keep, making them the easiest, most hassle free worm to keep. Supers will kill and eat each other at times.

All worms are easy to deal with and keep though

I think Z. morios are more likely to cannibalise in the larval stage but, as far as I've noticed, it's still a fairly rare occurrence (I've never tried breeding these or had any pupate so I don't know what the beetles are like) whereas T. molitor are generally OK until they are beetles (if you keep beetles and pupae together then a lot of the pupae will get eaten although I do find the odd munched on one with the larvae).

Both require almost no effort at all to keep though.