Breeding Conditions and Application Technology of Yellow Mealworms
Provided by the Yellow Mealworm Base of Jindi Agriculture:
Yellow mealworms are an important edible and feed insect, characterized by high nutritional value and ease of breeding, and have become a hotspot for the industrial development of resource insects.
1. Health Value: Yellow mealworms not only contain abundant protein but also have a complete variety of amino acids with a reasonable composition; yellow mealworms also contain rich unsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic acid content as high as 24.1%; yellow mealworms are also rich in mineral elements. In addition to potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus being significantly higher than ordinary animal foods, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, and other trace elements are also much higher than general animal foods. Especially through the biological enrichment effect of yellow mealworms, the content of zinc, selenium, and other elements has greatly increased, thus giving yellow mealworms a higher health value.
Breeding Technology: Through extensive research, we have mastered the optimal breeding conditions for yellow mealworms, developed large-scale breeding processes and facilities for yellow mealworms, as well as breeding technology for zinc-enriched yellow mealworms.
2. Feed Value: The traditional application of yellow mealworms is mainly used in special breeding: as fresh feed for breeding geckos, scorpions, golden turtles, ornamental fish, birds, frogs, and other economically valuable special economic animals. It can also be used as a feed additive for general livestock and poultry to improve product yield and quality.
3. Edible Value: Yellow mealworms are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, with protein content far exceeding that of eggs, beef, mutton, and other conventional animal foods, and are easily digestible and absorbable, making them an excellent protein food. Yellow mealworms are also a type of edible insect with good texture, unique flavor, and easy acceptance by consumers. They can be roasted, fried, processed into protein drinks with a nutty flavor, refined protein powder, alcohol beverages, and various forms of food.
4. Processing Technology: Research has been conducted on the processing technology of original fried yellow mealworms, yellow mealworm protein milk, and yellow mealworm paste powder. Fried yellow mealworms and yellow mealworm protein milk are delicious and have a unique flavor, receiving widespread praise from eaters, especially young consumers.
Applicable Scope: This technology is suitable for both rural friends and urban residents for sideline production, as well as for large-scale industrial development.
To breed yellow mealworms, one must first solve problems related to seedlings, feed, equipment, etc.
1. Good Breeds:
Jindi Agricultural Company provides high-quality yellow mealworm seedlings.
2. Environmental Conditions:
(1). Yellow mealworms have a wide range of temperature adaptability, starting growth and development at 10 degrees Celsius, with the optimal growth and reproduction temperature ranging from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius. High temperatures above 36-38 degrees Celsius will cause the worms to die from heat. At 0-10 degrees Celsius, although they won't die, their growth stops and they enter a dormant state.
(2). Yellow mealworms prefer ventilated, quiet places and fear stimulating odors, so it's best to choose a location away from noisy city roads and chemical plants for the breeding site, which suits the quiet environment of rural areas.
(3). Yellow mealworms have a wide range of humidity adaptability, with adult eggs most suited to humidity between 55%-75%, and larvae pupae most suited to humidity between 65%-75%. Humidity above 85% makes yellow mealworms prone to disease or even death. Yellow mealworms avoid light and prefer darkness.
3. Breeding Equipment:
(1) Standard Breeding Boxes
Generally 80cm*40cm*8cm, box board thickness: 1-1.5cm.
(2) Breeding Racks:
260cm*190cm*40cm, layer height: 12cm.
(3) Sieves:
Generally made with 8-10 mesh, 14 mesh, 16 mesh, 20 mesh, 40 mesh, 60 mesh, 100 mesh iron wire nets or nylon nets.
(4) Oviposition Boxes:
Made with 8-mesh screens, specifications should be reduced by 1-2cm compared to standard breeding boxes.
(5) Incubation Boxes and Pupation Boxes:
Composed of double-row multi-layer partitions forming two layers, the distance between them should be 1.5 times the height of the standard breeding box (88cm).
(6) Others: Thermometer, hygrometer, plastic basins, sprayers or watering cans, tweezers, magnifying glasses, small brooms.
4. Feed:
(1). Wheat bran: The main traditional feed.
(2). Leafy Vegetables: Various fresh vegetable leaves or melon, squash, potato, radish, and affordable fruits serve as water supplements.
(3). Edible Rice Flour: Such as small proportions of cornmeal, peanut cake powder, soybean cake powder, sesame powder, pea powder, and candy residue sweet food as feed additives for yellow mealworms.
(4). Crop Straw and Husk Powder Bio-feed: For factory-scale production of yellow mealworms, various crop straws, husk powder, leaves, weeds, etc., can be crushed, fermented, and processed into bio-feed for feeding.
5. Key Production Techniques
(1). Breeding density should not be too high.
(2). Add vegetables.
(3). Screen out worm feces.
(4). Combine adult boxes.
(5). Feed adults.
(6). Collect and hatch pupae.
(7). Egg preservation technology.
The hatching of yellow mealworm eggs is greatly affected by temperature and humidity. Generally, as the temperature rises, the egg period shortens, and vice versa. When the temperature is between 25~30°C, the egg period is about 5~8 days; when the temperature is between 20~25°C, the egg period is 6~15 days. Below 15°C, very few eggs hatch.
6. Epidemic Prevention Precautions:
(1). Strictly prevent ants, flies, cockroaches, geckos, and mice from entering the breeding room.
(2). Prohibit the placement of pesticides and other strongly-scented medicines in the breeding room.
(3). Dead insect carcasses should be promptly removed in principle.
(4). Yellow mealworm larvae prefer dry feed.
Jindi Agricultural Earthworm Breeding Base long-term supplies yellow mealworms, yellow mealworm seedlings, and yellow mealworm feces. Purchase yellow mealworm seeds and receive free comprehensive breeding technology materials and DVDs.
For more details, please visit the Jindi Agricultural Company website: http://www.jindinongye.com
Jindi Agriculture subsidiary websites: 5830 Agricultural URL Navigation: http://www.5830.com. China's most comprehensive agricultural URL navigation station, the preferred information platform for agricultural friends to get rich.