2. MEALWORMS

3. WILD HABITAT Mealworms live where they are surrounded by what they eat - under rocks, logs, animal burrows and in stored grains.

4. FOOD The larvae eat decaying leaves, sticks, grasses and new plant growth. They also eat dead insects and grains. They clean up after plants and animals. They can be found anywhere where there are “leftovers”.

5. PREDATORS Many predators eat mealworms including rodents, lizards, beetles, spiders, and birds.

6. MEALWORMS CAN ALSO BE GROWN INSIDE

7. HUMAN HABITATS Mealworms prefer a warm habitat. They will eat grains and get their water from fruits and vegetables such as potatoes and apples. They do not like to live in direct sunlight.

8. FIRST STAGE Mealworms begin as white eggs.

9. SECOND STAGE The second stage begins when the eggs change into larvae. The larvae look like worms.

10. PARTS OF A MEALWORM

11. LARVAE GROW As the mealworms grow and shed their exoskeleton, they will leave behind a paper-like skin that can be blown away.

12. THIRD STAGE The mealworm larva changes into a pupa. The pupa is white or cream with a large head and a pointed tail.

13. WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NEXT STAGE WILL BE?

14. DID YOU KNOW? A female can lay up to 500 eggs at a single time. Mealworms are high in protein and low in fat and taste like slivered almonds. You can buy mealworms at a pet store. Mealworms do not drink water.