Are Superworms the same as Mealworms?
No. Superworms are the larval stage of the Zophobas Morio beetle, mealworms are the larval stage of the Tenebrio Molitor beetle, so they are two different bugs. However, they are both species of darkling beetle. They look similar but have distinct differences, the superworm is generally larger than the mealworm and has dark brown bands toward the head and the tail, whereas the mealworms and lighter and more plain in color. Superworms are also more nutritious per insect and contain less chitin; mealworms are known for having more chitin making them more difficult to digest.
What substrate should I use for my Superworms?
Superworms should be kept in a product such as uncut oat bran, and they will bury themselves in the bedding and also ingest it.
Why are some of my superworms white?
Superworms shed their outer shell as they grow. When they have freshly molted, they will appear a creamy white color and are very soft; many species prefer them like this as they are easier to digest. They will return to their normal color within a few hours.
What can I feed superworms?
Superworms are not fussy; they will pretty much eat whatever you give them. They will consume the bedding that you choose for them, but this will not make them as nutritious as they can be for a feeder. You can use pre-packaged commercial products to gut-load them or feed them salad items such as butternut squash, sweet potato, collard green, and mustard greens. You can feed them fruit, but be aware that this can be messy and attract fruit flies.
