Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I have been breeding mealworms fora bout a year now. But all of the sudden my pupa aren't fully turning into beetles. The shell on their backs doesn't fully form. The only thing I can think of is the coolness from the basement. But its been cool down there for a quite a while.

In the past 2-3 months I think I may have 10 beetles that fully formed and probably 60-70 that are not formed (I don't keep the nonformed ones incase it's a genetic problem).

Any ideas? A few months ago some one told me it may be moisture levels before pupation, but having experiemted with that for a few months has proved that doesn't seem to effect anything.

If you need other info just ask.

Joe Conklin
joeconklin@gmail.com

I suggested that it was moisture levels of the larvae prior to pupation; however, it seems as though you may have answered this problem--your temperatures may be too cool. If too cool as the pupa metamorphose, the hormone levels(for ecdysis)aka shedding from pupa to beetle are inadequate thus causing deformities in the beetles. PS--Temperatures can also affect the transformation from larva to pupa.