Word Splash

Mealworms

Insects

- It is NOT a worm.

- six legs

- body is divided into three parts - head, thorax, abdomen

- exoskeleton as outer coverings

- antennae

- no backbone (invertebrates)

Life Cycle

- Four stages:

1. Egg

2. Larva (mealworm). Shed its exoskeleton and known as moulting.

3. Pupa

4. Adult (beetle)

- Goes through complete metamorphosis.

Metamorphosis is the change in both appearance and character.

Food Source

- prey for the predators e.g. birds, fish, reptiles

- Why? Mealworms are high in protein.

What do mealworms eat?

- Fresh oats

- Extract water source from potato, carrot and apple.

Scavengers as they eat bodies of dead insects too.

*Scavengers eat whatever food they can find e.g. vultures and crows.

Habitat

- nocturnal (active at night)

- prefer a dark environment such as under the rocks. Why? Feel safe from the predators.

- warm environment

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