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Mealworms are probably one of the most underrated food insects in the world of microgeckos.
They are often considered a secondary or uninteresting prey source, mainly because their fat content is higher than that of other commonly used prey.
In my breeding program, however, they continue to play an important role.
Newly hatched larvae are extremely small, easy to produce, and represent a valuable resource, especially for growing babies, females laying eggs, particularly small species, and animals in rehabilitation.
The real challenge isn’t raising the moths; it’s being able to easily collect the newly hatched larvae.
The classic method
Traditionally, mealworms are reared in a single container that houses:
adults
pupae
larvae of all sizes
The system works fairly well, but when you’re looking for micro-mralworms, it quickly becomes inconvenient.
Newly hatched larvae mix in with pupae, adults, and larger larvae, making them difficult to collect, and beetles have a nasty habit of eating the moths as soon as they start to get thirsty.
The system I use
To make my job easier, I built a two-tiered system. The lower part consists of a fairly deep container filled with my dry feed mix for feed insects.
On top of that, I place a second, shallower container whose bottom has been removed and replaced with a fiberglass mesh.
Inside, there are:
the adults
organic oats
fresh vegetables, which are essential for hydration
The adults normally live in the upper section, feeding on oats and vegetables, and lay their eggs near the mesh; the eggs fall directly into the lower container, where they immediately find food available and can develop undisturbed.
Why I like this system so much
The main advantage is the automatic separation of generations, because the adults remain at the top, the eggs fall to the bottom, and the larvae develop directly within the food substrate.
This means I can harvest large quantities of micro-mealworms without having to constantly sift through pupae and beetles.
For those who breed micro-geckos, this is a huge time-saver.
How to get started
The main advantage is the automatic separation of generations, because the adults remain in the upper section, the eggs fall into the lower section, and the larvae develop directly within the food substrate.
This means I can harvest large quantities of micro-mealworms without having to constantly sift through pupae and beetles.
For those who breed microgeckos, this is a huge time-saver. For a substantial colony that produces enough eggs, you’ll need at least fifty adults. Unfortunately, no one sells them directly, but the problem can be easily solved by ordering a couple of batches of fully grown mealworms. I always rely on I.N.E.F. because I’ve noticed that their insects are truly hardy and of high quality.
If fed properly, they’ll soon pupate: at that point, they should be immediately separated from the others—which would gladly eat them to stay hydrated in the absence of vegetables—and placed in the adult container, where they’ll undergo their final molt, becoming the famous small, dark beetle that, once it mates, will begin laying eggs.
Do I recommend them?
Absolutely. I would never use mealworms as the sole food source, but I think they’re often underestimated.
Micro mealworms are easy to breed, very convenient, and can be a valuable addition to a varied diet. If you keep microgeckos and have never tried breeding them this way, it might be worth a try.
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