Fuzzy worms in cricket container?

[disturb3d0n3]

This was my first time using half grown crickets and they've lasted 3-4 weeks.. I've finally run out but now I noticed quite a few if these fuzzy worms.. Does anyone know what they are or why they would be in with my crickets?

Are they cricket larvae?

 

[AHBD]

Hi there....those are the larva of the dermestid beetle. They are used to clean up the skin sheds in the cricket box.

 

[disturb3d0n3]

Thanks for your response

I figured they were more of a pest than anything. I didn't want to risk feeding my beardie any bottom feeders so I just picked my remaining crickets out and dumped all those beetles out

 

[imcallumwbu]

Hi,

When breeding colonies of any kind of insect there are a few different kinds of "cleaning crews" used in the process, they eat the skin sheds and sometimes the poop of the insects so they need less maintenance. Although they dont really have much nutritional value, they can still be fed to beardies, so you dont have to sit and seperate them if you dont want to.

 

[disturb3d0n3]

Good to know! Thanks!