Editing Tenebrio molitor

:{{Redirect|Darkling beetle}}
{{Template:Infobox species
|image = File:Tenebrio_molitor.jpg
|caption = Mealworms, the larvae of Tenebrio molitor.
|CommonNames = Mealworm, Yellow mealworm, Mealworm beetle, Darkling beetle, Darkening beetle
|Size = 1 inch
|Color = Light brown with dark brown stripes
|Range = Temperate regions worldwide, but primarily in the northern hemisphere
|Kingdom = Animalia
|Phylum = Arthropoda
|Class = Insecta
|Order = Coleoptera
|Family = Tenebrionidae
|Genus = Tenebrio
|Species = molitor
|Stage1 = Egg
|Stage1Photo = File:Placeholder
|Stage2 = Larva
|Stage2Photo = File:Tenebrio_molitor_larvae.jpg
|Stage3 = Pupa
|Stage3Photo = File:Tenebrio_molitor_pupae.jpg
|Stage4 = Adult
|Stage4Photo = File:Tenebrio_molitor_adult.jpg
|Stage consumed = Larva
|Cooking method = Sauteed, boiled, roasted, or fried
|Parts consumed = All
|Defense = Sprays noxious odor from scent gland}}{{Template:New Species Page/General
|General Info = Commonly referred as mealworms, yellow mealworms, mealworm beetles, darkling beetles, and darkening beetles, ''Tenebrio molitor'' is an insect which is eaten in the larval stage. Not to be confused with [[Zophobas morio|superworms]] or the less common [[Tenebrio obscurus|mini-mealworms]]. The larvae grow to about 1 inch in length and are light brown with darker brown stripes.

There is conflicting information about whether or not the adult beetles of this species fly, with some sources claiming that they do not, while others claim that they generally only fly in search of food, so those in captivity rarely will. <ref>http://www.herpcenter.com/feeders/20139-can-darkling-beetles-fly.html</ref>}}
==Habitat==
{{Template:New Species Page/Habitat
|Habitat = The first record of mealworms in North America was in 1827 in Nova Scotia.<ref>http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/environment/NHR/PDF/Maritime_Tenebrionidae.pdf</ref> They reportedly occur in temperate regions all across the world, but especially in the northern hemisphere.<ref>http://bugguide.net/node/view/101010</ref> Typically, they are found in or near human civilization because they thrive on grain and flour. They cannot breed in the tropics.}}
==Consumption== 
{{Template:New Species Page/Consumption
|Consumption info = Only the larvae of ''Tenebrio molitor'' is consumed—the adults have a hard shell and emit a foul odor from their scent glands when threatened.

Sauteeing is a popular method for preparing mealworms. Rapid cooking over high heat can cause the larvae to explode, so pan-frying is not recommended. Boiling, roasting, and deep-frying are other common methods of preparation. Marc Dennis, founder of Insects Are Food, recommends freezing mealworms for an hour and then boiled for one minute before using them in your recipe.<ref>http://www.insectsarefood.com/recipes.php?title=mealworm-recipes</ref>

The flavor is most described as nutty.}}
==Recipes==
{{Template:New Species Page/Recipes
|Internal Recipe 1 = Recipe:Mealworm crunch
|Recipe category = Larvae|External Recipe 1 URL = http://www.insectsarefood.com/recipes.php?title=banana-worm-bread
|External Recipe 1 Name = Banana Worm Bread|External Recipe 2 URL = http://www.insectsarefood.com/recipes.php?title=mealworm-french-fries
|External Recipe 2 Name = Mealworm French Fries}}
==Farming==
{{Template:New Species Page/Farming
|Farming info = Tenebrio molitor is extremely easy to breed in either small or large amounts. They can be fed on oats or bran and given some carrot, apple, or potato for moisture. The adults should be removed from the main enclosure to prevent them from eating the eggs.

The following video demonstrates large scale mealworm farming (skip to 2:10):

[[File:Insect Farming To Replace Livestock Protein|300px|left]]{{clrl}}}}
==Legality==
{{Template:New Species Page/Legality
|Legality info = There are no known legal issues withe import, export, or sale of mealworms.}}
==Buying==
{{Template:New Species Page/Buying
|Buying info = Live mealworms are abundantly available, either in pet stores, or online from herpetological supply stores. Additionally, some business sell mealworms prepared for human consumption.|External Product 1 URL = http://www.hotlix.com/insect_candy/wormcandy.html|External Product 1 Name = Worm Suckers by Hotlix|External Product 2 URL = http://www.hotlix.com/insect_candy/larvets.html|External Product 2 Name = Larvets by Hotlix|External Product 3 URL = http://www.thailandunique.com/edible-insects-bugs/edible-meal-worm-larvae|External Product 3 Name = Roasted Mealworms from Thailand Unique|External Product 4 URL = http://www.donbugito.com/DonBugito_MenuSample.pdf|External Product 4 Name = Toffee Mealworms Over Three Twins Vanilla Ice Cream}}

==Media==
<gallery type="slideshow" widths="400" position="left">
Tenebrio molitor adult.jpg|An adult Tenebrio molitor beetle
Tenebrio molitor pupae.jpg|Mealworms molt into the pupa stage before becoming adult beetles
Tenebrio molitor larvae.jpg|Recently molted mealworms are light in color
Tenebrio molitor.jpg|A bowl of mealworms
</gallery>
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==Resources==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Insects]]
[[Category:Beetles]]
[[Category:Larvae]]
[[Category:Arthropods]]