Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

mealworm farm question


  • Please log in to reply
6 replies to this topic

#1 Offline brasch - Posted January 18 2020 - 6:56 PM

brasch

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 17 posts

i have a mealworm farm that i use to feed my ants, but i've started noticing the beetles look like they are being eaten alive or something!!!  i can't find anything on the internet on it, do any of you know anything about this?

 

20200108 084404
20200118 204730
20200118 204351
20200108 084358
mealworm farm disease

 



#2 Offline ponerinecat - Posted January 18 2020 - 7:08 PM

ponerinecat

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,650 posts
  • LocationCalifornia

Cannabalism?



#3 Offline antwall - Posted January 18 2020 - 7:47 PM

antwall

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 70 posts
  • LocationCalifornia
Cannibalism. I have many mealworm farms, and it is something I deal with all the time. Feed them food like carrots until they won’t eat anymore.
Argentine ants are mean.

#4 Offline brasch - Posted January 19 2020 - 7:06 PM

brasch

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 17 posts

I saw a video where a guy put his carrot on a piece of paper or paper towel.  is this for mold or is it necessary or what?  do you put your carrot directly on the oats, or what?



#5 Offline antwall - Posted January 20 2020 - 12:00 AM

antwall

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 70 posts
  • LocationCalifornia
You don’t have to put the carrot on a towel if you have enough beetles and worms and if your farm is open top. If there is less ventilation, keep it on a towel to prevent the oats from getting wet and moldy. Another reason the beetles might be eating each other is because when they eclose from their pupae with defective wing cases, the beetles just eat the defective ones. The pupae problem may be caused by humidity being too low or high. You can use a filled test tube with water and a cotton blocker to let the beetles drink, but remove it when empty or they will do weird things with the cotton.

Edited by antwall, January 20 2020 - 12:03 AM.

  • ANTdrew and DDD101DDD like this
Argentine ants are mean.

#6 Offline brasch - Posted January 20 2020 - 6:11 AM

brasch

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 17 posts

thank you very much!!



#7 Offline kgollehon - Posted February 9 2020 - 10:17 PM

kgollehon

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 45 posts
  • LocationWestwood

Are you keeping the pupae and beetles separated? I find that keeping them apart will reduce opportunistic cannibalism. It's more of a superworm problem but always better to prevent die off!


Colonies: Tetramorium sp., Solenopsis xyloni

Put an end to hate, go green, vote left! Peace




1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users