Domestic feed bettles?

[UpNorth]

My last 2 shipment of crickets have contained a large amount of black worms and black beetles. When I questioned the supplier (large nationwide company) I was told that: "they are feeder domestic beetles that get into our feed. They are harmless and reptiles love them."

As a first time Chameleon owner, and new to the reptile world, I am overly cautious with my pet.

Can anyone help me determine if they indeed are 'harmless'? I can not identify them 100% as mealworms....but they are similar looking.

 

[amanda509]

My last 2 shipment of crickets have contained a large amount of black worms and black beetles. When I questioned the supplier (large nationwide company) I was told that: "they are feeder domestic beetles that get into our feed. They are harmless and reptiles love them."

As a first time Chameleon owner, and new to the reptile world, I am overly cautious with my pet.

Can anyone help me determine if they indeed are 'harmless'? I can not identify them 100% as mealworms....but they are similar looking.

if they look like this:

they are called dermestid beetles and eat on the dead crickets and their shed skin. they are harmless and can be fed, but not too many, as they do have a hard exoskeleton i have tons in my bin and they keep it sparkling clean <3

 

[UpNorth]

Thank you! The beetle looks like that, maybe a little smaller, but the worms aren't hairy...they look more like dark meal worms, and they were breeding, little tiny black worms all over the place...but no moths.....???

 

[amanda509]

Thank you! The beetle looks like that, maybe a little smaller, but the worms aren't hairy...they look more like dark meal worms, and they were breeding, little tiny black worms all over the place...but no moths.....???

thats an up close picture, the ones you have might be hairy up close? i know mine dont look that hairy..but there will be no moths, the larvae turn into beetles

 

[UpNorth]

O.k.....I'll have to grab a magnifying glass, now! Will check the next time I'm in the bin. I also need to find a closer place to order crickets from...they have been shipping from LA, up to MN, and it takes a real toll on the crickets...loose lots. Any suggestions on suppliers? I'm using Flukers now, but trying to find a closer source. No suppliers in MN.

 

[camimom]

i use mulberryfarms.com and reptilefood.com

i dunno where they ship from..
but ive had no die off with them.

 

[JonRich]

I <3 Dermestid Beetles. I just pulled a few out of my cricket bin and put them into my B.Dubia roach colony to help keep it clean.

They can be fed (as a treat). You have to consider that they are eating dead matter, not sure how good that is to transfer to your Cham on a large scale. My Chams love the Beetles because they fly, they will give up a bowl full of crickets/Dubias to chase down one Dermestid.

 

[UpNorth]

i use mulberryfarms.com and reptilefood.com

i dunno where they ship from..
but ive had no die off with them.

Well, I'll be darned...found a couple in the right stage and they are a little hairy! Which also answers the question as to where all the dead crickets were going...LOL....I just thought it was a great batch, and none were dying. Thank you Amanda identifying the worm, and for solving a mystery.

I will try those two suppliers, camimom, I have seen them recommended before. Thank you also.

 

[UpNorth]

I <3 Dermestid Beetles. I just pulled a few out of my cricket bin and put them into my B.Dubia roach colony to help keep it clean.

They can be fed (as a treat). You have to consider that they are eating dead matter, not sure how good that is to transfer to your Cham on a large scale. My Chams love the Beetles because they fly, they will give up a bowl full of crickets/Dubias to chase down one Dermestid.

Thank you, JonRich. I just found out that they fly 5 mins ago...surprised me! I don't plan on making them anything other than the stray one that makes it up my feeder tubes, when I move crickets to my cricket keeper to gut load. Now I won't worry about them so much.