Tenebrio obscurus
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2017) |
| Tenebrio obscurus | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Tenebrionidae |
| Genus: | Tenebrio |
| Species: | T. obscurus
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| Binomial name | |
| Tenebrio obscurus Fabricius, 1792
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Tenebrio obscurus, or the dark mealworm beetle, is a species of darkling beetle.[1][2] The larvae, when used as feeder insects for reptile and amphibian pets, are known as mini mealworm. These insects should not be confused with younger mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) or with the confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum), which is also occasionally used as a reptile feeder insect.
Mini mealworms would probably remain largely unknown, if not for the reptile pet industry. In the search for easy to raise insects to use as food for captive reptiles and amphibians, mini mealworms have recently attracted interest as an ideal food item for smaller species.
The larvae resemble very small mealworms, about ½ to ¾ inch (12 to 19 mm) in size. Once they reach adult size, the larvae pupate, and later emerge as small, black beetles.
References
- ^ "Tenebrio obscurus Fabricius, 1792". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ Rees, David (21 July 2004). Insects of Stored Products. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 112–113. ISBN 978-0-643-10263-7.