Potted yellow mealworms are an ideal option for small-scale production, with a monthly output of up to 10 kilograms. This system requires no full-time staff, making it perfect for people who can manage the process during their free time. The breeding equipment is simple and cost-effective—old washbasins, tin boxes, or wooden containers can all be used as long as they are intact, leak-proof, and have smooth inner walls to prevent the insects from escaping or climbing out. If the inner walls are rough, you can stick some tape around the edges to stop them from escaping.
In addition to the containers, you will need a 60-mesh sieve for sorting. Here's how to get started:
1. Once you obtain the mealworm species, select the healthiest individuals—look for those that are large, uniform in size, active, and have a bright color. For a standard basin, you can start with 0.3 to 0.6 kg of larvae.
2. Place the selected larvae into the container along with their feed, such as wheat bran or corn flour. The feed should be about 10-20% of the insect’s weight. After 3 to 5 days, when the insects have consumed the feed, use the 60-mesh sieve to remove the feces. Continue feeding regularly, and occasionally add water-rich foods like vegetable scraps or melon peels to maintain moisture.
3. When the larvae begin to pupate, separate them and store them in a different container. After 8 to 15 days, they will emerge as adults. Lay a sheet of newspaper at the bottom of the container, then spread a thin layer of fine feed (about 1 cm thick) on top. Place the adult mealworms on this feed. At 25°C, females will start laying eggs approximately 6 days after emerging. Mealworms are social insects, so it's important to keep them at a density of 1,500 to 3,000 per square meter. Adults should be fed a high-quality diet, including mixed feed with added vitamins and water-rich foods like leaves or fruit peels.
4. When the adults lay eggs, they deposit them onto the paper. After 3 to 5 days, the egg paper will be fully covered. Replace it with fresh paper and collect the old ones. Place the egg papers in a pot and keep them at the same temperature until the eggs hatch. At 24–34°C, hatching typically occurs within 6 to 9 days. Newly hatched larvae are very delicate, so avoid handling them directly to prevent injury.
5. After hatching, keep the larvae together and continue feeding them. After 15 to 20 days, the feed in the container will be nearly gone, and you can perform the first sieve. Use the 60-mesh sieve to separate the larvae from the feces, and repeat this process every 3 to 5 days. Feed the larvae accordingly, ensuring they have enough food for 3 to 5 days.
**Note:** When feeding leafy greens or melons, do so one day before sieving. Provide the feed at night so that the larvae can eat it before the next day’s screening. Remove any uneaten portions the following morning. During summer, ensure the humidity in the container isn’t too high, as excessive moisture can cause mold and lead to larval death.
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