Mealworm VS Superworms?

[1happymommy]

I always thought Supers were just big mealworms. Is this wrong? I don't use mealworms because of what I have read about the chiton and nutritional value. I use roaches, crickets and butters. But are Supers okay to feed? I'm headed to Mulberry to pick up a few things and thought I would give them a try.

 

[MAJ]

Different worms altogether.

In general (and almost exclusively on this board), "superworm" refers to the larvae of species Zophobas morio. For beardies, they are considered a good feeder for larger dragons. I breed my own supers, and theya re my dragon's favourite feeder (she'll go for the superworms before she goes for dubias (which I also grow).

In general (and almost exlusively on this board), "mealworm" refers to the larvae of species Tenebrio molitor. For beardies, they are discouraged as feeders since they have a high chitin content in their shells and can pose an impaction risk, as you know.

I added the qualifiers above, since there seems to be a lot of geographic variability in the common names used for each species. I have seen what I call "superworms" variously called "kingworms, "super mealworms," "giant mealworms," and others. The term "giant mealworm" is also used to describe a mealworm that has been treated with hormones to increase its size. In North America, "superworm" is the usual common name for Z. morio, but in other places, the common names seem to vary.
This variability in common names for a species is common in many fields. Personally, I have had to deal with the same confusion while identifying the fish I see while scuba diving, in identifying garden plants, trees and more. It is to the point that I try and stick with the latin names once I know what something is. The roach breeders have the right idea, sticking to calling most of their roaches by their latin names (eg. dubia, etc.) to avoid confusion.

 

[1happymommy]

Thanks so much for the info. I just learned something new. To bad I just got back from Mulberry farms. On my next order I will buy some Supers and see if my beardies will eat them. Then I may try to breed them along with my Dubia colony I have.

 

[keithsrambo]

well................super worms from what i have heard is that they can eat through the stomach of the bd hoped i have helped

 

[MAJ]

well................super worms from what i have heard is that they can eat through the stomach of the bd hoped i have helped

Urban legend. There are tons of threads on this forum debunking that one. For a couple of them:
http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=701015
http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=90670&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

 

[Elora]

well................super worms from what i have heard is that they can eat through the stomach of the bd hoped i have helped

ughhhh I wish I didnt read that. I had a REALLY bad dream that it happend to Skyler. I forgot the dream altogether until i read that. I know that its not true but for some reason I had a TERRIBLE dream that I watched it happen to Skyler. must ...get...image...out ...of ...head :|

 

[diggerdrake]

think about it though. when you feed a super to your dragon they have to chomp them pretty good just to swallow. even the most piggish dragon has to at least bite once to get them down. I think that even a single chomp will inflict enough harm to the super to cause the stomach acid to readily kill and digest them

 

[ronni1221]

I finally bought some supers for Brutus since he's big enough. There's no way they can eat through his stomach. While he was chomping down, half of the super fell right out of his mouth. It was definitely dead. lol. (Unfortunately, Brutus didn't like this and hasn't eaten them since this happened.)