Alphitobius diaperinus (Lesser Mealworm Beetle)
Alphitobius diaperinus (Lesser Mealworm Beetle) is one of our favourite multipurpose species to work with. The beetles and larvae make excellent “clean up crews” when housed with other insects. In their final instar the larvae reach 11mm; making them excellent feeders for small reptiles, amphibians, fish and arachnids. Adult beetles are bout 7mm.
They easily colonize tropical ecosystems and are noninvasive to live bearing species if food is in abundance. They thrive on undigested particles in frass, grain, flour, vegetables, mold, pupae and insect eggs.
This species; believed to originate from Sub-Saharan Africa is quite prolific. Females lay between 200 – 400 eggs and they hatch within 7 days. Larvae reach maturity in 40 – 100 days. Stay tuned, as we will be offering starter kits in limited quantities soon.