Kingworms (Zophobas morio)

• Container with ability to isolate kingworms individually.
  I use a rubbermaid tacklebox with with two small holes drilled
  over each compartment for ventilation. You can also use an
  embroidery floss box or film canisters.
• Oatmeal for bedding.
• Sterilized rotted wood.
• Deep plastic container with lid for beetles.
• Container for adult kingworms.
• Carrot, apple, or potato. I use carrots as the apples and potatoes seem to mold easily.

• Place a light layer of oatmeal and one small slice of carrot in each compartment of box or film canister. Then place one adult kingworm in each.
• Place in a warm dark area (78-85). I use an old food dryer. My kingworms take 2 to 3 weeks to pulpate into beetles.
• At first the beetles will be white. They will rapidly turn reddish-brown and finally black.
  
• Place beetles into a container holding 1 inch oatmeal, rotted wood, and a carrot, apple or potato. The container needs a lid with holes for ventilation.
• Maintain warm temperatures. The beetles will mate and lay eggs in wood. VERY TINY worms will be noticeable in 3 to 6 weeks. Keep a fresh piece of carrot in the container. Don't remove old food unless it is getting moldy as baby worms may be on it.
• Every 4-6 weeks I place the contents of the container the beetles are in into a separate container. Add some fresh oatmeal to new container. Put the wood and beetles back into the orginal container with fresh oatmeal and start over.
• In the meantime the old bedding will contain the baby kingworms. Keep them warm and in a ventilated container. Keep a fresh piece of carrot in the container. After another 2 weeks as you are noticing them reaching sizes of 1 inch or so, sift out the baby kingworms and place them in fresh oatmeal.

Baby kingworms are great food for hatchlings!