The Best Temperature for Growing Mealworms

Mealworms, also known as Tenebrio molitor, are superstars in the insect farming world. But to thrive, they need just the right temperature. Farmers usually aim for around 29 to 31°C. A recent study wanted to find the perfect temperature for these little critters to grow, develop, and have lots of babies. Scientists tried out eight different temperatures, from a chilly 18°C to a hot 39°C. They found that 33°C was the sweet spot for mealworms to grow quickly. But anything higher than that, like 39°C, was just too hot and could kill them.The researchers then picked three really good temperatures below the magical 33°C—27, 29, and 31°C—to see which one made mealworms the happiest and healthiest. At 27°C, mealworms laid the most eggs and had the healthiest babies. They also grew up the fastest. So, if you're farming mealworms, 27°C seems to be the best temperature. It saves energy and makes the mealworms really productive.