superworms pupating at small sizes

[Whammo72]

I have about 1500 or so superworms I bred from beetles I pupated individually. They are growing in powdered chicken scratch and alfalfa pellets. The worms themselves are just over an inch long and I am finding many pupae at the top of the container at about half an inch long... without having been seperated. These seem very small. Does anyone know if these will breed regular large superworms when they become beetles?

 

[clarkrw3]

Are you sure they aren't just molting into new skin....they shouldn't pupate till they are large...pssh said till they are 0.9grams.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I have about 1500 or so superworms I bred from beetles I pupated individually. They are growing in powdered chicken scratch and alfalfa pellets. The worms themselves are just over an inch long and I am finding many pupae at the top of the container at about half an inch long... without having been seperated. These seem very small. Does anyone know if these will breed regular large superworms when they become beetles?

stress can cause them to pupate early. what "wet" food do you offer them? there is the possibility also of hormones in the chicken scratch powder (do you know the ingredients?) interfering with normal development. A better substrate / gutload for superworms can be found here

Smaller beetles may produce fewer eggs, but the resulting larva should retain the potential to grow large