Small, black worms that were in my mealworm order Mealworms

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Small, black worms that were in my mealworm order Mealworms

When I got my order of 5,000 mealworms, there were a number of very small black beetles inside. There were also a few tiny black worms (they don't get longer than a half of an inch). These strange worms are black on top with segment marks and white on their belly. They move a great deal quicker than mealworms and, honestly, they look a lot like snakes when they move, and their larval and pupate stage go VERY FAST. When they pupate they are hardly even 1/4" long. And they turn into those same really tiny black beetles I had with my mealworms. I had just started to raise my mealworms at the time and I wasn't really sure what they were and, regrettably, didn't get rid of them immediately. Since then, I have dealt with a full infestation of them. I have now, I hope, gotten rid of the very last one, but I'm really curious as to what they were. I've been trying everything to figure out what they are but I can't find any tiny beetles that look like them. I have a few pictures but my camera must be awful because I could never get any detail on them but would be glad to furnish what I have if needed. Greatly appreciate any help you can give me!!! Thanks!

Status: Open Nov 01, 2020 - 01:59 AM

Mealworms

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Nov 01, 2020 - 09:32 AM

Hi Robin! The last order I can find from you was in July around 100 days ago; if you ever notice anything that doesn't look right, please contact us at once via email so we can address it: support@rainbowmealworms.net

You can also text us photos at: (480) 409-2347

It sounds like the worms/beetles you have are lesser mealworms:

https://www.livinfarms.com/blog-1/201...

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Those are it - thank you so very much!!! It was just driving me nuts, I couldn't find pictures on my searches that looked like what I had. Thank you, I definitely will let you know from now on, but I wasn't sure whether they were just "baby" mealworms or what. THANK YOU!!!
You are so welcome!

They are widely used by people who breed insects for their own use buy from us in the thousands of them to help keep colonies free of dead insects. They are wonderful little scavengers who will eat any dead or decaying material in their insect colony to keep it clean.

They are completely harmless, many animals will enjoy eating the larvae of the beetle just as much as they enjoy the mealworms. If you are concerned, they are easy to identify and pick out. They are considered harmless and interestingly enough are used in museums and taxidermists across the country to clean skeletons.

So glad we could help!

Small, black worms that were in my mealworm order Mealworms

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