Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am wanting to produce approximately 5,000 mature superworms (Zophorus Morio)per week but I am not familiar with mass production techniques. My current attempts consist of several 1 gallon tupperware containers and 2, 30 gallon containers. The worms are in beds of wheat-bran and laying mash and potatoe slices for moisture. I am getting a mature batch about once a month, apprx 1,000.
I would love to see/here how you raise yours, how long you leave beetles in lay tray, what you feed for larger size etc.
All help greatly appreciated.

Daphi

Superworms (Zophobas Morio) require seperation to pupate into beetles. You can put them in indivisual film canisters or use those fish tackle type boxes that have tons of little compartments. You just put the adult worms in one spot each with some substrate. I forget how many days it takes for them to change to the whitish pupae and to beetle next. Make sure they don't get moisture trapped (use small pinholes if you need some air circulation) or mold will grow. When you get the beeltes, put them together in a container (just like you kept the other superworms in) with low substrate. I don't recall if the beetles eat and still need moisture at this stage, but I am guessing yes. Remove dead beetles as you see them and keep container the same as the other superworms. It takes a while before you actually see tiny worms. I don't know how to speed their breeding/growth up, but I found it too slow especially with their tendency to eat each other...

If you are talking about Mealworms (Tenebrio Molitor) they require easier care to breed but are smaller than superworms. They are not the same type of worm. Giant Mealworms are regular mealworms given growth hormones delaying when they pupate so they grow larger. I am told Giant Mealworms are sterile...

Thank you for your reply;
I'm at the next phase of production of Super Worms, (ZM), and am trying to figure out how to cosistently produce a given amount of adult worms per week, thus the 5,000 figure. What I need is some sort of time chart, production schedule, or breeding program, to use as a guideline. I'm about as business oriented as salamander and as yet have not found detailed info on the business of growing these worms. Lots of stuff is out there on red wiggler ranching but not ZM or TM ranches. There's good info on the net,on grow some for your own use, but not the marketing and production end.
On another note, I morph my beetles in dixie cups, they're very inexpensive and I re-use them several times.

Thanks again,
Daphi

You can ask some feeder companies that breed them for information. Though I don't know how many would actually respond with information you want.

I have breed superworms years ago and stopped because it was too slow and the canabalistic attitude they seem to have. I am thinking maybe animal protien might help reduce it as well as ample water source (without getting the substrate molded). Maybe they need more of a situation like crickets who require more hiding spaces so they don't eat each other. Keep in mind this is all my theory/thoughts and probably should not be taken seriously. I think it took about a month to go from beetle breeding to tiny quarter of an inch worms. As for how long it takes them to be full grown adult worms, no idea. Most people don't bother breeding these worms so your best bet is to ask a feeder supplier or learn from trial and error.

Thanks Mothi,

I guess from what little info is out there I'll start trying to document each phase of the process and perhaps be able to help others along the way. I've raised crickets; too smelly and too loud; tried earth worms; but the Texas heat melted them. I currently have hissers, meal worms and super worms but for some reason enjoy the super worms more than anything else so far. Keep an eye open and maybe I'll write a book some day on this critter craziness.

Daphi

Id be interested in seeing your progress or info on breeding them from anothers experience. Mine like I mentioned was not too productive. Maybe I will try again since it has been years.