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Changes: Zophobas morio

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{{Infobox species}}
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{{Infobox species
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|image = File:Zophobas_morio_larva.jpg
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{{Template:New_Species_Page/General}}
  
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|caption = Zophobas morio larva
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|CommonNames = Superworms, Giant Mealworms, Zophobas, Darkling beetle
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|Size = 1.5-2.25 inches
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|Color = Tan with dark brown or black stripes
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|Defense = Adult beats emit foul odor when disturbed
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|Range = Tropical regions of Central and South America
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|Kingdom = Animalia
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|Phylum = Arthropoda
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|Class = Insecta
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|Order = Coleoptera
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|Family = Tenebrionidae
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|Genus = Zophobas
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|Species = morio
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|Stage1 = Egg
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|Stage2 = Larva
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|Stage2Photo = File:Giant_Mealworms.jpg
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|Stage3 = Pupa
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|Stage3Photo = File:Zophobas_morio_pupa.jpg
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|Stage4 = Adult
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|Stage4Photo = File:Superworms_adult.jpg
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|Stage consumed = Larva
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|Cooking method = Sauteed, boiled, toasted, fried
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|Parts consumed = All
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|Toxicity = Potential allergen}}
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{{Template:New_Species_Page/General
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|General Info = Commonly referred to as superworms, giant mealworms, zophobas, or darkling beetles. Zophobas morio is eaten as the larval stage and is 1.5 to 2 times larger than regular [[Tenebrio molitor|mealworms]], at up to 2.25 inches long. The larvae are tan with dark stripes at the end and a dark spot on their head.
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The adults are black and have a fused wing plate. Their abdomen is pointer compared to [[Tenebrio molitor]] and the thorax and abdomen are not as }}
 
==Habitat==
  
==Habitat==
   
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{{Template:New_Species_Page/Habitat
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|Habitat = Superworms naturally occure in the tropical regions of Central and South America, but have spread across the world for use as food for reptiles and other insectivorous pets. They are often found amongst rotting logs and leaves.<ref>http://reptilesalive.com/news/tag/zophobas-morio/</ref>}}
 
==Consumption==
  
==Consumption==
   
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{{Template:New_Species_Page/Consumption}}
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{{Template:New_Species_Page/Consumption
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|Consumption info = The adults have a hard shell and emit a foul odor which makes them an unlikely food source. The larva, however, are used in essentially the same fashion as common mealworms, and can therefore be substituted into any recipe that calls for mealworms.
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They can be stir fried, boiled, toasted, or sauteed, though care should be taken when exposing them to high heat. The high pressure which devlop inside their shell at high temperatures can cause them to explode.
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Their chitin is relatively thick, comparted to [[Tenebrio molitor]].
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The taste is described as similar to almonds.<ref>http://reptilesalive.com/news/tag/zophobas-morio/</ref>}}
 
==Recipes==
  
==Recipes==
   
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{{Template:New_Species_Page/Recipes
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|Internal Recipe 1 = Recipe:Mealworm crunch
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|Recipe category = Larva
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|External Recipe 1 URL = http://www.insectsarefood.com/recipes.php?title=mealworm-french-fries
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|External Recipe 1 Name = Mealworm French Fries
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|External Recipe 2 URL = http://www.insectsarefood.com/recipes.php?title=banana-worm-bread
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|External Recipe 2 Name = Banana Worm Bread}}
 
==Farming==
  
==Farming==
   
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==Legality==
  
==Legality==
   
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{{Template:New_Species_Page/Legality
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|Legality info = There are no know legal issues with the import, export, or sale of superworms.}}
 
==Buying==
  
==Buying==
   
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{{Template:New_Species_Page/Buying
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|Buying info = Superworms are widely available in pet stores or from herpetological supply stores. There are no known sources of pre-prepared superworms, but they are available live from the following sources.
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|External Product 1 URL = http://www.healthycrickets.com/buy_superworms/buy_superworms.htm
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|External Product 1 Name = HealthyCrickets.com
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|External Product 2 URL = http://www.nyworms.com/superworms.html
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|External Product 2 Name = New York Worms}}
 
==Media==
  
==Media==
   
 
<gallery source="template" type="slideshow" position="left">
  
<gallery source="template" type="slideshow" position="left">
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Zophobas morio larva.jpg|Adult superworm
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Giant Mealworms.jpg|Adult superworms in substrate
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Zophobas morio pupa.jpg|Superworm pupa
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Superworms adult.jpg|Adult superworm
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Superworms in colander.jpg|Superworms being prepped for cooking
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Fried superworm closeup.jpg|Superworms can explode if you cook them on too high of a temperature
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Fried superworm shell.jpg|Shell of superworm after it exploded
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Fried superworm batch.jpg|Plate of fried superworms draining on paper towel
 
</gallery>{{clrl}}
  
</gallery>{{clrl}}
 
==References==
  
==References==
   
 
{{Reflist}}
  
{{Reflist}}
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[[Category:Arthropods]]
  
[[Category:Arthropods]]

Revision as of 03:45, 15 July 2012

Zophobas morio
Zophobas morio larva
Zophobas morio larva
Common names: Superworms, Giant Mealworms, Zophobas, Darkling beetle
Size: 1.5-2.25 inches
Color: Tan with dark brown or black stripes
Defense: Adult beats emit foul odor when disturbed
Range: Tropical regions of Central and South America
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Tenebrionidae
Genus: Zophobas
Species: morio
Life cycle
Egg
↓
Larva
Giant Mealworms
↓
Pupa
Zophobas morio pupa
↓
Adult
Superworms adult


Preparation
Stage consumed: Larva
Cooking method: Sauteed, boiled, toasted, fried
Parts consumed: All
Toxicity: Potential allergen

Commonly referred to as superworms, giant mealworms, zophobas, or darkling beetles. Zophobas morio is eaten as the larval stage and is 1.5 to 2 times larger than regular mealworms, at up to 2.25 inches long. The larvae are tan with dark stripes at the end and a dark spot on their head.

The adults are black and have a fused wing plate. Their abdomen is pointer compared to Tenebrio molitor and the thorax and abdomen are not as

Habitat

Superworms naturally occure in the tropical regions of Central and South America, but have spread across the world for use as food for reptiles and other insectivorous pets. They are often found amongst rotting logs and leaves.[1]

Consumption

The adults have a hard shell and emit a foul odor which makes them an unlikely food source. The larva, however, are used in essentially the same fashion as common mealworms, and can therefore be substituted into any recipe that calls for mealworms.

They can be stir fried, boiled, toasted, or sauteed, though care should be taken when exposing them to high heat. The high pressure which devlop inside their shell at high temperatures can cause them to explode.

Their chitin is relatively thick, comparted to Tenebrio molitor.

The taste is described as similar to almonds.[2]

Recipes

Mealworm crunch

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mealworms
  • 6 tablespoons oil, butter, or margarine
  • Salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste

Directions

  1. Sautee mealworms in fat of choice until golden brown
  2. Add spices and stir to combine
  3. Drain off excess fat
  4. Serve alone, or combine with Chex Mix or your favorite trail mix

View more larva recipes on Entomophagy Wiki.

Additional recipes:


Farming

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This information is missing! Please add it, using the following as a guideline:
Any available information on feasibility and techniques for farming this species. What type of enclosure is used? What are they fed? Do they eat their own young? How quickly do they breed? What temperature do they need to be kept at? Do they need light or darkness? Any additional information.


Legality

There are no know legal issues with the import, export, or sale of superworms.

Buying

Superworms are widely available in pet stores or from herpetological supply stores. There are no known sources of pre-prepared superworms, but they are available live from the following sources.


Media

References

  1. ↑ http://reptilesalive.com/news/tag/zophobas-morio/
  2. ↑ http://reptilesalive.com/news/tag/zophobas-morio/
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.