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_SBradley_
07-07-2005, 05:24 AM
Some of my mealworms are starting to metamorphose. They've turned into pupae in the last 24-48 hours, but I don't yet have any beetles on my hands.

My question is, is it OK to feed hedgies these pupae? (I don't see why not, especially if they've only just started the process.)

And how do they like the adult beetles? :laugh:
Kalandra
07-07-2005, 07:56 AM
You can feed them to the hedgehogs. My recommendation is to wait it out though until you get beetles. Every hedgehog I have offered a beetle to has rather enjoyed them quite well.
Ododad
07-07-2005, 09:12 AM
Agreed. Marco goes nuts over them!
razzle
07-07-2005, 11:16 AM
How long does it generally take for a mealworm to turn into a beetle ?
Kalandra
07-07-2005, 11:24 AM
Once they become a pupae, it ranges somewhere between 2-3 weeks. Or at least mine have. The worm stage will vary depending on how quickly your worms grow... but they seem to morph once they are around 1" in length.

If you buy worms from a grower (like Fluker Farms) you can typically specify a length. I got 1" worms last time and some of them had morphed to pupae before they were delivered.
Ododad
07-07-2005, 12:26 PM
I get mine from Flukers and have always been very pleased with them. If you keep fresh slices of raw potato in with them, it slows down the pupa process. :)
Steph
07-07-2005, 02:28 PM
Mine like the Pupae just fine but I like everyone else prefer to wait for beetles. Tig once told me that in the wild they eat a lot of beetles rather than the worms but some in captivity don't care for them. The beetles are lower in fat and a bit better for them than the actual mealies though if I remember correctly.
Kalandra
07-07-2005, 02:38 PM
I've always heard that the beetles are higher in fiber as well. However, I have yet to find the nutritional analysis of a darkling beetle, only for their larval mealworm stage.
Steph
07-07-2005, 02:42 PM
Ditto here, would be nice if we could find one though!! I always like to check those out first. I sprinkle Grape Nuts on dry food for extra fiber.
Kalandra
07-07-2005, 02:55 PM
Apparently waiting and redoing a search does actually pay off.

From http://www.sialis.org/raisingmealworms.htm (looks like a great site for learning about these bugs).

larvae 48.31% protein 40.46% fat
Pupae 55.30% protein 36.54% fat
Beetle 59.43 % protein 28.33% fat

It doesn't mention fiber though :( But at least it gives some comparison for the other stages.