Superworm Farming - Information, Tutorials and Questions

[subhanalah]

I recently ordered 1000 superworms from Rainbow Mealworm Farm. (I am in no way affiliated with this business.)

Since it appears we don't have a dedicated superworms breeding and maintenance thread, I decided to try to start one.

Here are the links I have read so far, and with everyone's help/experience/advice, I would like to create our own BYC care thread.
http://www.herpcenter.com/breeding-feeder-insects/breeding-superworms.html
http://www.progeckos.com/caresheets/superworm.htm
http://www.herpshop.com.au/CareSheets/SuperWorms/SuperWorms.html
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?c=6016&articleid=2486

Wow, there are a lot of links, and I haven't tried any of these methods yet, so can't comment on what works best. Hoping to get some useful information from our members as well!

Okay,here are my questions:
*I know you have to separate the larva to make them pupate, but how do you know when to separate them/when they are ready to pupate?
*What temperature has anyone found to be the "Goldilocks zone" for maximizing production? I've read so many different/conflicting things, I'd like to hear from someone with actual working knowledge.

 

[Duckopolis]

I like the first one.

 

[sueblack]

Superworms need to be fully grown to pupate. The ones you purchased should be almost reafy to go. They are how long? I am guessing around 3". When I got mine I read thaat I should let them adjust from their trip and feed them well for a few weeks before pupating.

I waited 2 weeks and started pupating them. My first breeding bin was almost a total flop. I raised the temperature of my room to 82- 85 degrees. I am now getting bins with hundredof worms in them. I am movint the beetles to fresh bran after 2 weeks. It seems to be going well now that I am getting the eggs to hatch.

I just separated out 1,000 1/2 grown babies last night into a new bin of braan to grow out for my next round of pupating. I labeled it superworm stock so I wont forget and feed them out tto my chickens.

Btw, thanks for starting this thread!

 

[aart]

sueblack...what kind of container(s) do you use for pupating?

 

[sueblack]

sueblack...what kind of container(s) do you use for pupating?

I ordered them online from Joann Fabrics. They are bead organizers and they work great. I ordered 8-10 when they were on sale. I will look up the info tomorrow and try to get it posted here for you. They work great.

 

[aart]

I think I know what you mean, I have a thread storage box-clear plastic with a latching lid, that's probably very similar.

Once the pupation is accomplished do you then move the pupae back into a bin for emergence?

 

[sueblack]

I am using Darice 32 compartment bead organizers that I got from Joann Fabrics online. I ordered them when they were on sale for $3.99 each. List price is $7.99. I bought 8 so I could get a bunch of beetles started. You will want to have at least two I think. Remember about half of them will be males, so only half of your pupa will emerge into egg laying females.

Superworms are better climbers than mealworms so you will definatley want a screened lid on your both your breeding and rearing containers.

I leave the pupa in the divided compartments until they emerge and start to turn light brown. I tried putting the pupa all in a container on a bed of wheat bran, but stopped that practice as it seemed like I was getting a lot of canabalism from the newly emerged beetles.

 

[subhanalah]

Okay, so you need to keep them separated once they reach 2"? Then you continue that until they emerge as adults and you place them in a new compartment (or just cleaned/renewed?) Is that right?

 

[sueblack]

Yes. Thats right. And the rest of the adult larva stay in a container of wheat bran with a carrot until you want to pupate more.

I have read adult size is anywhere between 1.5 and 3 inches. Some sources day superworms grow to 2.25 inches while another says up to 3" long.
J
Slo I guess what I am trying to say is start pupating some while the rest continue to grow and when you pupate more choose the biggest worms to pupate.

 

[subhanalah]

How exciting! Can't wait to start my colony. I'm going to see if I can take some pictures and edit them 8th the first post.