Feed-insect
Guides
Tenebrio molitor
Yellow Mealworm Beetle, Mealworm Beetle, Yellow Mealworm
Tenebrio molitor, the yellow mealworm beetle, is a darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) whose larvae are widely known as mealworms. Adults measure 12–25 mm in length, significantly smaller than the related superworm beetle Zophobas morio. The species has been mass-produced since the 1950s for fish bait, pet food, and backyard bird feeding. In January 2021, the European Union approved yellow mealworms for human consumption, marking a milestone for the edible insect industry. Research continues on optimizing rearing methods, with eight-year selection programs demonstrating 75% increases in pupal size.
Zophobas atratus
superworm, kingworm, barley worm, morio worm, giant mealworm beetle
Zophobas atratus is a darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) whose larvae, known as superworms, are widely used as feed for captive reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish. The species is notable for its larger size compared to the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), with larvae reaching 50–60 mm in length. Adults measure up to 57 mm. The species has gained attention for its ability to biodegrade polystyrene plastics through mechanical shredding and bacterial gut enzyme activity. It is native to tropical regions of Central and South America but has been introduced globally through the pet trade. The name Zophobas morio is a junior synonym.