Introduction to the breeding of Superworms
Superworms (Zophobas morio) belong to the Tenebrionidae family under the order Coleoptera. They are similar to mealworms but are a new type of high-quality protein insect introduced from abroad in recent years. Compared with mealworms, Superworms are three times larger in body size, three to five times heavier in weight, and have 1.5 times more crude protein content, making them superior to mealworms and cockroaches. They are considered the most ideal live feed for artificial breeding. Superworms have a shorter life cycle than mealworms, higher nutritional value, stronger reproductive capacity, faster growth rate, and higher output, gradually replacing the mealworm market. Wild Superworms are mainly distributed in tropical regions, primarily originating from the rainforests of Central America and South America. Their natural diet consists of decaying wood and organic matter. The larvae prefer warm and humid environments, rich in oxygen, with appropriate sunlight exposure and fresh air being their optimal living conditions. Superworms were artificially bred in Central America and South America, later introduced into Southeast Asia for commercial farming. Due to large-scale farming, they have developed into a major source of live feed. Their species include Central American strains and Southeast Asian strains. In recent years, with the promotion of mealworm farming in China, the main strain introduced is the Southeast Asian sub-species from tropical rainforest regions. However, due to lack of scientific breeding methods, the strain has shown some signs of degradation.
Superworms are holometabolous insects that go through four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs are milky white ovals, with a long diameter of 0.5~1.2MM, covered by a soft shell which can easily break upon contact with hard objects. The suitable hatching temperature is 22~32℃, with an air humidity of 60%~95%. Under these conditions, the hatching period lasts 5~7 days. Larvae are cylindrical in shape, slightly tapered at the tail, with degenerated pseudo-legs at the posterior end. The surface is smooth, wild types are black-brown, with a distinct molting line on the back. The head has a pair of 0.5MM brown-black antennae, and compound eyes are degenerated. Below the head, there is a pair of chewing mandibles, and above the tail, there is a miniature water storage sac—biologically known as Malpighian tubules (to cope with dry environments). The longest larvae can reach 6~7CM, with the largest diameter reaching 0.8CM. They crawl nimbly, several times faster than mealworms, are sensitive to strong odors, and are negatively phototactic. The larvae absorb moisture through their skin from the living substrate and ingest moist food with their mouthparts. The survival environment temperature ranges from 5℃~40℃, with a substrate humidity below 60%. Under suitable substrate humidity, atmospheric humidity has little impact on their survival. The larval stage undergoes 10-12 molts, each molt's duration greatly depending on the living environment and nutrient supply. In a suitable environment with sufficient nutrition, each molt can be shortened to around 6~7 days. The wild larval stage lasts about 6 months, while in artificial breeding, under controlled suitable environments and adequate nutrition, it lasts 3~4 months. Newly pupated pupae are milky white translucent soft bodies, gradually turning white and then creamy yellow, with the body surface hardening progressively. The edge bristles also become sharper and harder. As the pupa nears hatching, the body surface softens and the upper part of the head color gradually turns reddish-brown. Under suitable temperature and humidity, the hatching period lasts 5~8 days. Suitable temperature and humidity are crucial for successful pupation and hatching. Newly hatched adults are milky white soft-shelled beetles, gradually turning brown-yellow, and finally becoming hard-shelled black beetles. At this point, the body surface becomes hard, they move quickly, are sensitive to sound, and are negatively phototactic. Wild adults can make short-distance flights. When the temperature is above 25℃, the body color turns black, requiring 3~5 days. Afterward, within 5~7 days, they start mating and laying eggs. Under suitable environmental nutrition, the maximum egg-laying quantity can exceed a thousand. Healthy adults with sufficient nutrition can live up to 6~8 months in a suitable environment.
The crude protein content of Superworm larvae approaches 60% of their dry weight, with fat content approximately 29%. They also contain various sugars, vitamins, hormones, and minerals such as phosphorus, iron, potassium, sodium, and calcium. The crude protein content is 1.5 times that of mealworms, providing even better nutrition than crickets and mealworms, with softer exteriors that are easier to digest, presenting broad market prospects. They can be used as high-protein live feed for raising frogs, turtles, scorpions, centipedes, snakes, quality fish, ornamental birds, medicinal animals, valuable fur animals, and rare poultry. Moreover, Superworms are rich in nutrients and essential amino acids required by the human body, making them suitable as green food on dining tables. Nutrients and certain substances can be extracted from them to process high-end nutritional supplements and beauty products, benefiting humanity. Given their large insect size, high yield, high nutritional value, wide range of feeding materials, and low cost, Superworms will soon replace the mealworm market in China.