The mealworm, commonly referred to as "breadworm," is often called the "king of animal protein feed" due to its high nutritional value and versatility. As a valuable resource insect, it plays a significant role in various industries such as animal feed, food, and health care. Its protein content surpasses that of lamb and pork, and it contains 17 essential amino acids, along with rich levels of fats, minerals, and vitamins. Research has shown that insect-based protein additives derived from mealworms can significantly improve egg production in poultry and enhance the growth and overall health of livestock. Currently, mealworms are widely used in raising chickens, pigs, birds, snakes, fish, and even cockroaches.
To successfully raise mealworms, certain equipment is necessary, including rearing boxes, breeding boxes, and mesh screens. The depth of the rearing box should be around 15–20 cm to prevent escape. The mesh at the bottom of the breeding box should be fine enough to allow waste to pass through but not the insects themselves. A mesh screen is also useful for separating waste and preventing the insects from escaping. It’s recommended to use high-temperature disinfection or a 1% chlorine bleach solution if available.
The life cycle of the mealworm typically lasts about 100 days. After reaching adulthood, they undergo complete metamorphosis. You can either purchase them or start your own culture. It’s important to select healthy, disease-free individuals and keep them separate. Optimal breeding conditions include temperatures between 20–28°C and humidity levels of 50–80%. During the larval stage, feeding on green vegetables helps promote pupation. After about 10 days, larvae begin to pupate. Newly emerged adults are less active and do not eat immediately; after three days, they start feeding, mating, and laying eggs. They should be fed a mix of melon peels, leaves, wheat bran, and other nutritious materials every five days.
Eggs hatch into larvae within 5–7 days at 25–30°C. Initially, feed them high-quality foods like wheat bran and cornmeal. As they grow, you can introduce rice bran, soybean residue, fish meal, leaves, and fruits. Feed should be provided every two to three days, with a feed-to-insect ratio of approximately 2:1. Remove feces every 5–6 days, and expand the breeding area as needed, ideally at a density of 2–3 kg per square meter. Adding 0.1–0.2% glucose or lysine to the feed can further support their growth.
Some key precautions include separating different life stages to avoid cannibalism, removing first-time eggs promptly, and avoiding moldy or overly wet food, especially during rainy seasons. Keep the environment dark, well-ventilated, and away from direct sunlight, moisture, and harmful substances like pesticides. Regularly remove dead insects and pests to prevent infections. Protect against natural predators such as geckos, ants, flies, mice, and mussels. Monitor for diseases like soft rot and maintain a layer thickness of 2–3 cm. If soft rot occurs, adding chloramphenicol can help control bacterial infections.
Mealworms can be dried, ground into powder, and added to feed, or used directly as fresh feed. They can also be made into a paste and mixed into compound feeds. While the methods described above provide a general guide, the potential of mealworms extends far beyond feed. With their rich nutrition, safety, and ease of cultivation, they are increasingly used in human health products. As research continues, mealworm farming is expected to become a major industrial raw material with vast development opportunities.
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