What is a Mealworm?
Mealworms are the insects at the larva stage before turning into a black beetle (Tenebrio molter). They’re typically known and used as a source of food for reptiles and birds.
Scientific Classification
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Tenebrionidae
Genus: Tenebrio
Species: Molitor
Stage Characteristics
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Egg:
During the first stage of the mealworms' life cycle, the egg is small, white, and bean-shaped. In the beginning, the egg is quite sticky, but is then covered by dirt. Mealworms remain in this stage for approximately one to four weeks.
Larva:
Once the mealworms have emerged from their eggs, they become larva. They are brown, approximately 2.5 cm in length, and have 11 segmented parts. The larvae remain eight to ten weeks in this stage, however in higher temperatures, they progress much quicker. The larvae have a hard exoskeleton, which will eventually shed to allow further growth. This process is called molting. After the mealworms shed their exoskeletons, they will temporarily appear soft and white, but this changes quickly as they return to their original appearance.
Pupa:
After the mealworms molt, they turn into pupa. In this stage, they have very limited functions and cannot eat. This stage lasts approximately one to three weeks.
Adult:
This is the final stage of the mealworms' life. They have now turned into beetles, which will last from one to three months. Initially, the beetles are white with a soft exoskeleton, however they soon have a hardened exoskeleton. The beetle then turns to a dark brown/black colour and has wings that are unable to fly. Beetles begin to mate to reproduce new eggs in this final stage.
http://mealwormcare.org/life-cycle/