Yellow Mealworm Beetles are considered
scavengers and are among the largest insects that infest stored
products. Most prefer to feed on decaying grain or milled cereals
in damp, poor conditions. These insects are usually found in
places not frequently disturbed such as dark corners, under
sacks, in bins and where feed is stored. Indoors, they are
usually found in basements or at grade level, sometimes infesting
cornmeal, flour, cake mixes, cereals, meat scraps, dead insects,
bran and litter from chicken houses, they have even been found
in sparrow's nests where they feed on the droppings. Mealworms
have been found living under old carpeting and in straw-stuffed
chairs in damp areas. Yellow mealworm larvae are known as "golden
grubs" and make excellent fish bait and serve
as food for animals in aquariums and zoological parks.
Identification:
Young larvae are white, darkening with age.
Larvae of yellow mealworms are honey-yellow, while dark mealworms
are dark-brown.
Mealworms have a smooth, highly polished,
shiny, elongate, hard, cylindrical (wormlike) body about
1/8 inch thick and up to 1.25 inches long at maturity.
Beetles are robust, black and nearly 3/4 inch long, resembling
many ground beetles in size, shape and color.
Yellow mealworm
adults are shiny, dark-brown or black, whereas dark mealworm
adults are dull, pitchy black. Eggs are white, bean-shaped
and about 1/20 inch long. Pupae are white at first, turning
yellow, and are not enclosed in a case or cocoon.
Click
here to continue 
|
