Mealworm (Larval stage of Darkling Beetle)

Found in damp, dark places such as leaf litter and underneath logs; commonly found indoors in stored grain, flour, and cereals.

Generalist scavengers that feed on organic matter, decaying vegetation, and stored dry goods like flour, oats, meal, and bran.

Larvae are active burrowers that prefer dark environments. They undergo complete metamorphosis through egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages over several months.

Considered a common pest of stored food products, often contaminating them with feces and exoskeletons. Benefits include their use as an important food source for birds, reptiles, and pet livestock.