Mealworm Life Cycle

People use the term mealworm to refer to the larval stage of the darkling beetle. Worm is an incorrect term for this animal because mealworms are actually insects.

Egg Stage

• The female darkling beetle lays hundreds of eggs at a time. The larva stage of the beetle emerges from these eggs when they hatch.

Larva Stage

• The beetle looks the most worm-like during this part of the lifecycle. Mealworm larvae eat a great deal and develop into pupa. The mealworm sheds its skin several times as it grows. This stage takes from 4 days to a little over 2 weeks to complete.

Pupa Stage

• The pupal stage is similar to the cocoon stage of the lifecycle of the butterfly. The pupa does not move during this time. The pupa stage usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks. If the metamorphosis takes place over the winter, an adult beetle may not emerge for 9 months.

Adult Stage

• The pupa stage ends and a fully adult darkling beetle emerges from the pupa's "cocoon." The mealworm beetle's skin turns a dark brown color. The adult beetle lives for several more months.

Mealworm Diet

• The mealworm earned its name because it consumes a lot of grain. Seedlings also make up a large part of the beetle's diet.