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Breeding Mealworms: 5. Pupa to beetle

on 23rd December 2016

Earlier posts: 1; 2; 3 and 4.

Newly emerged beetle
Newly emerged beetle

The adult beetles will emerge from the pupae after 3-30 days, depending on environmental conditions LINK.

another view of the newly emerged beetle
Another view of the newly emerged beetle

The pupa is whitish, turning brown with time. It lies about helplessly, wriggling at intervals.

Newly emerged beetle with old pupa skin
Newly emerged beetle with old pupa skin

Within one to three weeks it will struggle to rid itself of the old pupal skin to emerge as a beetle LINK.

Newly emerged beetle after discarding the old pupa skin
Newly emerged beetle after discarding the old pupa skin

The newly emerged beetle is whitish with various parts light brown (see video below).

With time the beetle will turn brown, darkening as the days go by.

YC Wee
Singapore
16th December 2016

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

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