Mealworms are the young or larvae of a small beetle called a darkling beetle. They live in cereals and are common in places where cereals are stored, such as grocery stores. Mealworms are sold in pet stores as food for pet toads, lizards, frogs, and birds
Mealworms for pet food can be raised at home. A heavy cardboard container partly filled with oatmeal and covered with cloth serves the purpose. Larvae purchased from the store will go into a resting stage in the meal. They emerge as adult, slender, black beetles. If the larvae are to be used as pet food, they should be kept in meal in a screw top jar in the refrigerator.
