CATDOLL : CATDOLL: What is the difference between mealworms and barley worms?

Mealworms and barley worms differ in their origin, larval appearance, adult appearance, and nutritional value.

1. Different origins

Mealworm: Native to North America, China introduced it from the Soviet Union for breeding in the 1950s.

Mealworm: Native to South Africa and Central Africa, it was only introduced to my country from Southeast Asian countries in recent years.

2. The larvae have different appearances

Mealworms:

The body is slender and cylindrical. The mature larvae are (24-29) mm long. The newly hatched larvae are milky white, which later turn into yellowish brown. The anterior and posterior edges of the dorsal surface of each segment are light brown, and the intersegments and ventral surface are yellowish white. The body length and head capsule width of larvae of each age are relatively stable, which is the main basis for larval age classification.

Mealworm:

The larvae are generally 40-60 mm long and about 5-6 mm wide. A single worm weighs 1.3-1.5 grams and is cylindrical. Its body is hard, yellowish brown, shiny, and has 13 segments. There are yellowish brown rings at the joints of each segment, and the ventral surface is yellow. During the growth of the larvae, the body surface color is first white. After the first molt, it turns yellowish brown, and then molts once every 4-6 days. The larvae molt 6-10 times in total. The growth period is 60 days. The larvae molt from the beginning, and the activity begins to decrease before molting. The larvae that have just molted are milky white and very fragile. They are most vulnerable to attack.

3. Adults have different appearances

Mealworms:

The adult is flat and oblong in shape, with a body length of (13.02±0.91) mm and a body width of (4.11±0.33) mm. The elytra of the newly emerged adult are beige and the pronotum is brown. After 3 hours, the elytra will turn reddish brown. After 3 to 4 days, the color of the adult elytra will turn dark brown and the antennae will be rosary-shaped.

Mealworm:

The shell that has just been molted is milky white, with an orange head and a relatively thin carapace. After 1 to 2 days, the back turns dark brown and the abdomen turns yellow brown. The overall shape is oval, about 25 to 30 mm long and about 8 mm wide.

Mealworms:

Mealworm:

3. Different nutritional values

Mealworms:

The dried mealworm contains 30% fat, more than 50% protein, and macroelements such as phosphorus, potassium, iron, sodium, aluminum, and a variety of trace elements. Since the dried mealworm larvae contain about 40% protein, pupae contain 57% protein, and adults contain up to 60% protein, it is called a "treasure trove of protein feed."

Barley worm: Its nutritional value far exceeds that of young crickets and mealworms, and it contains a large amount of trace elements necessary for the human body.

Reference source: Baidu Encyclopedia - Yellow Mealworm

Reference source: Baidu Encyclopedia - Barleyworm

There are huge differences between mealworms and barley worms. Here are some of the most basic ones:

1. Body size.

The mealworm is called the "super mealworm", which shows that based on the same number, the mealworm is several times more important.

2. Economic value.

The breeding costs are similar, but the selling prices are very different. With the same cost, mealworms can make several times more money.

3. Survival rate.

The body quality of mealworms is particularly good and they are much more durable than yellow mealworms.

Originally from North America, it was introduced to my country from the Soviet Union in the 1950s. Dried mealworms contain 30% fat and more than 50% protein. In addition, they also contain macroelements such as phosphorus, potassium, iron, sodium, and aluminum, as well as a variety of trace elements. Because dried mealworm larvae contain about 40% protein, pupae contain 57%, and adults contain 60% (according to the "Chinese Medicine Science and Technology News"). It is known as a "treasure trove of protein feed." Some people claim that after experiments: it is the best feed for breeding spiders, centipedes, scorpions, snakes, and poultry and livestock. Using mealworms as feed can basically allow them to grow, develop, and reproduce. Because mealworms contain high levels of nutrients such as protein, fat, and sugar, their bodies are soft and juicy. Table of Contents 1 Pests and Diseases in Farming... Table of Contents 1 Pests and Diseases in Farming... Hide Edit this section Pest and Disease Control in Farming 1. How to Control Mealworm Drying Disease (1) Cause: The main cause of the disease is dry air, high temperature, and low water content in feed, which causes severe water shortage in the body of mealworms and causes the disease. Generally, this symptom is prone to occur when using coal stoves to heat in winter, or when the temperature is high (over 39°C) for several consecutive days in the hot summer without rain. (2) Symptoms: Drying occurs from the head to the tail first, and then slowly develops to the whole body drying up and becoming stiff and dead. After the larvae and pupae are infected with dryness, they can be divided into two manifestations, "yellow dryness" and "black dryness", depending on whether the insect body is deteriorated or not. "Yellow dryness" is the dead insect body color yellow but not deteriorated and dead (see color pictures 66 and 67); "black dryness" is the dead insect body color black and deteriorated and dead (see color pictures 68 and 69). (3) Prevention and control: In the hot summer, the macro key is large, the breeding box should be placed in a cool and ventilated place, or the doors and windows should be opened for ventilation, various vitamins and green fodder should be supplemented in time, and water should be sprinkled on the ground to cool down to prevent the occurrence of this disease. When using a coal stove for heating in winter, the humidity of the air in the breeding room should be measured frequently with a thermometer and hygrometer. Once it is lower than 55%, water should be sprinkled on the ground to increase humidity, or the moisture content of the feed should be increased, or more green feed should be given to prevent the occurrence of this disease. (4) Dry, black and dead mealworms should be picked out and thrown away in time to prevent healthy insects from eating them and becoming sick. II. How to prevent and control mealworm rot (soft rot) (1) This disease often occurs in rainy seasons with high humidity and low temperature. The air in the breeding place is humid, and it is difficult to screen and the force is too large, causing the insect body to be injured. In addition, poor management causes feces and feed to be contaminated and cause the disease. (2) Symptoms: The diseased insects are slow to move, have a decreased appetite, have a small number of offspring, and excrete black feces. In severe cases, the insect body turns black, becomes soft, rots and dies (see color pictures 68 and 69). The black feces of the diseased insects will also contaminate other insects. If not handled in time, it may even cause the death of the entire box of insects. It is a disease with relatively serious harm and is also the main disease to be prevented in summer. (3) Prevention and control: When this condition is discovered, you should immediately reduce or stop feeding green vegetable feed, clean up the excrement of the diseased insects in time, open doors and windows for ventilation and dehumidification, and pick out the diseased insects that have become soft and black in time. If it is cloudy and rainy for a long time and the indoor humidity is high and the temperature is low, you can burn a coal stove to heat up and drive out moisture. Drug prevention and control measures: You can use 0.25 grams of chloramphenicol or oxytetracycline mixed with bean flour or corn flour 250 grams/box for feeding, and then change to wheat bran mixed with green feed for feeding after the situation improves. III. How to prevent yellow mealworm blackhead disease? (1) Cause: According to our daily observation, the cause of blackhead disease is that yellow mealworms eat their own excrement. This is related to improper management or lack of knowledge of breeding techniques by farmers. Green feed is added before the excrement is screened out, resulting in the excrement and green feed being mixed together, and the yellow mealworms mistakenly eat it and become sick. (2) Symptoms: First, the head becomes diseased and blackened, and then gradually spreads to the entire limbs and dies (see color picture 72). Some will die if only the head turns black. After the insect dies, it usually becomes dry or rotten (some people also believe that blackhead disease belongs to dry disease). (3) Prevention: This disease is caused by humans. It can be avoided by improving work responsibility or mastering breeding techniques. (4) Dead mealworms have already deteriorated. They should be picked out and thrown away in time to prevent them from being eaten by healthy insects and becoming sick. IV. How to prevent and control mites Mites can be said to be the most tenacious and reproductive micro-animals in the animal kingdom. They can infect most animals, even humans. The adult mite is less than 1 mm long, with a soft body, an arched shape, grayish white, semi-transparent and shiny. There are several bristles on the surface of the body and 4 pairs of legs. Young mites have 3 pairs of legs, and when they grow into nymphs, they have 4 pairs of legs. Nymphs are very similar to adult mites. High temperature, high humidity and a large amount of food are the environmental and material conditions for the growth of mites. Under these conditions, mites have a generation every 15 days or so. Each female mite can lay 200 eggs, which shows its strong reproductive capacity. The main mites that harm mealworms are mealworms, also known as "bran mites", "white mites" and "lice". In summer and autumn, they can easily breed in rice bran and wheat bran, causing the feed to deteriorate. If rice bran with mites is brought into the feeding box when it is used as feed, it will be rich in nutrients in the suitable environment of high temperature and high humidity. The mites have strong reproductive capacity and can reproduce and develop in a short time and spread to the entire feeding box. (See the picture of mealworms) (1) Cause: Generally, mite diseases are prone to occur in July to September when the temperature is high and the humidity is high. The main cause of mite damage is that the bait carries mite eggs. (2) Symptoms: Mites generally live on the surface of the feed. Clusters of white, wriggling mites can be found. They parasitize on deteriorated feed and rotten insect bodies. They feed on mealworm eggs, bite or eat weak larvae and molting middle larvae, and contaminate the feed. Even if the mealworms cannot be eaten, they will still disturb the insects day and night, causing them to become weaker and weaker, and eventually die due to loss of appetite. (3) Prevention and control: 1) Choose healthy insects: When choosing insect species, choose those that are active and disease-free. 2) Prevent diseases from entering the mouth: Mealworm bait should be free of insects and mold. During the rainy season, it should be sealed and stored. Rice bran, wheat bran, local grain flour, and coarse cornmeal should be exposed to the sun and disinfected before feeding. The fruit peels, vegetables, and wild vegetables mixed in the bait should not be too wet. Insect feces and leftovers should be removed in time, and the food tray should be kept clean and dry. If mites are found in the feed, move it to the sun for 5 to 10 minutes (spread the feed flat) to kill the mites. Processed feed should be sun-dried or puffed, disinfected, and sterilized. Or wheat bran, rice bran, bean cake, and other feed should be fried, blanched, steamed, or cooked before feeding. The amount of feed should be appropriate and not too much. 3) Site disinfection: The breeding site and equipment should be sprayed with fungicides and miticides regularly. Generally, 0.1% potassium permanganate solution is used to spray the breeding room, food tray, and waterer for disinfection and miticide. You can also use 1000 times solution of 40% dicofol to spray the breeding site, such as corners, breeding boxes, insect feeding containers, etc., or spray it directly on the feed, and the mite killing effect can reach 80% to 95% or more. You can also use 1000~1500 times dilution of 40% dicofol emulsifiable concentrate and spray the ground. Do not make it too wet. Generally, spray once every 7 days, and spray 2~3 times in a row for better results. 4) Trapping and killing mites: ① Put fried chicken and fish bones into the breeding pool, or soak rice water with straw ropes, dry them, and then put them into the pool to trap and kill mites. Take them out and burn them every 2 hours. You can also wrap boiled bones or fried dough sticks with gauze and put them in a box. After a few hours, take out the bones or fried dough sticks with mites and throw them away. This can kill more than 90% of mites. ② Place the gauze flat on the surface of the pool, put semi-dry and semi-wet soil mixed with chicken and duck manure on it, and then add some fried bean cakes, rapeseed cakes, etc., about 1 to 2 cm thick. Mites will smell the fragrance and pass through the gauze to eat. Take it out after 1 to 2 days, and a large number of mites can be lured. Or soak the wheat bran and knead it into small balls with a diameter of 1 to 2 cm. Place them on the surface of the soil in several places during the day, and the mites will swarm over and eat. Take out the bran balls with the mites after 1 to 2 hours. Repeated multiple times can remove 70% of the mites. Simple process and key points of raising pigs with mealworms I have never raised pigs, but some friends who do raise pigs have seen how they raise pigs and discussed some skills and key points of raising pigs with mealworms. I write it down here and hope it will be helpful to the majority of pig raising friends. Please point out any deficiencies. The life of a pig is divided into five growth stages, namely lactation (1 day to 7 days old), artificial milk (8 days to 34 days old), early piglet period (35 days to 60 days old), late piglet period (61 days to 120 days old), and fattening period (121 days to 180 days old). During the lactation period, the sows eat the milk. The feed ratio of the lactating sows is (55% corn, 10% wheat bran, 10% mealworm feces, 12% bean curd, 7.5% rice bran, 0.5% salt, 2% mealworm pupae, and 3% mealworm adults after laying eggs. If the condition is not very good, you can add a small amount of oxytetracycline and multivitamins, and mix it with the same weight of water) Early piglet period (35 to 60 days old) Because young piglets have poor digestion ability for mealworm larvae and adults, do not feed mealworm larvae and mealworm adults that died naturally after laying, feed more mealworm pupae or mealworm larvae that have just shed their skin. This also involves a problem of traditional pig farming. Traditional pig farming methods: First, feed a large amount of green and roughage in the early stage, and less concentrated feed. When the pigs grow to 50~60 kg, a large amount of high-energy concentrated feed is added to quickly fatten them. Although this feeding method uses a lot of green and roughage, the protein and mineral elements required for the normal growth of pigs in the early stage cannot be met, so the feeding time is too long. Second, from piglets to market, concentrate feed is used all the time, without any green and roughage. Although this method greatly shortens the number of days of feeding, a lot of green and roughage are not fully utilized, and the economic benefits are not ideal. So according to my friend's experience in raising pigs: from piglets to medium pigs, they are mainly long bones and lean meat, and they have a high demand for protein and mineral elements. In addition, the digestion and utilization rate of fiber by pigs at this time is extremely low, so concentrate feed should be used as the main feed to meet the pigs' needs for protein and mineral elements, so that piglets can grow rapidly and reduce unnecessary consumption. That is, one of the keys to using this method of raising pigs with mealworms is to increase the proportion of concentrate feed such as mealworms from 60 to 120 days of age, while the proportion of roughage such as mealworm feces should be reduced.

Replenish:

The larvae of mealworms contain 51% protein, 29% fat, and a variety of sugars, amino acids, vitamins, hormones, enzymes and minerals such as phosphorus, iron, potassium, sodium, calcium, etc. The nutritional value is far greater than that of insect baits such as maggots, earthworms, mealworms and crickets. In addition, its skin is soft and easy to digest, and it has good palatability. It is an excellent bait for breeding various rare animals such as dragon fish or ornamental fish, ornamental birds, spiny-chested frogs, turtles, snakes, etc. With the rapid development of my country's economy and the continuous improvement of people's living standards, the demand for rare livestock and poultry and special aquatic animals will inevitably increase. Nowadays, due to the considerable lack of protein feed resources, the development of aquaculture has been restricted to a large extent. Therefore, the development and utilization of mealworms will inevitably be the main direction for solving the source of protein feed in the future. It can continuously provide high-grade protein feed directly for animals, and can also provide protein food for humans.

Edit this section Morphological characteristics

The mealworm was introduced from Southeast Asian countries in recent years. It is a larva of the Carabidae family. The maximum body length of the mature larva is about 6 cm, which is 3-4 times larger than the general mealworm, and the yield is 5 times that of the mealworm. The nutritional value is far beyond the juvenile crickets and mealworms. The female adult is significantly larger than the male adult. Because it contains a large amount of trace elements necessary for the human body, it is believed that it will soon replace the mealworm and enter large hotels and restaurants. After fine processing, it will become a feast on people's plates and will be more popular among people of all classes in large and medium-sized cities. The maximum body length of the mature larva of the mealworm is about 6 cm, and its nutritional value is far beyond other insects of the same category. Because the mealworm is large and the social breeding volume is small, it was mainly used as a special bait for high-end ornamental fish such as precious golden arowana and silver arowana in the early days. With the maturity of production and breeding technology, the social breeding volume has gradually increased, and the price has tended to be flat and stable. In particular, due to its advantages such as rich nutrition, easy digestion and good palatability, it has gradually been promoted and applied to various artificially raised reptile pets (geckos, lizards, turtles, etc.). Overseas professional fish farms and high-end pet breeding farms all use mealworms as an important live bait. Mealworms will gradually develop into a trend comparable to or even replacing mealworms, crickets, locusts and earthworms.

Edit this section Lifestyle

The barley weevils like dryness, have strong vitality, and are resistant to hunger and thirst. They can grow and reproduce all year round. The reproductive cycle of eggs, larvae, pupae and then adults is about 100 days. They hibernate when the temperature is below 6℃. The most suitable temperature for their growth and development is 18℃～30℃. Above 39℃, they can be lethal. The relative humidity of the air is required to be 60%～70%. The outer surface of the barley weevils' eggs is an egg shell, and the inner layer is a yolk membrane, which is filled with milky white egg substances. The egg period is 7-10 days. At 26℃-32℃, the adults lay the most eggs, and each adult can lay up to about 1,000 eggs, with high quality. At 19-25℃, only about 500 eggs are laid, and below 15-18℃, only about 150 eggs are laid, below 14℃, they rarely mate and lay eggs, and below 10℃, they do not mate and lay eggs (some people say that the egg laying volume is only about 150 eggs, I don't know if it is a problem of breeding technology or variety). Barley weevils like to gather in groups, feed at room temperature of 13℃, and can still grow above 5℃. They grow fastest at 25℃-32℃, and will die in large numbers above 35℃. Larvae and adults have a killing tendency of biting small ones (observation results: in the case of lack of vitamins and mineral additives in the feed, lack of feed, high density, and high humidity), and larvae sometimes bite pupae. Therefore, we need to screen out insects, eggs, pupae, and adults of the same age and raise them in their own containers.

During the growth of the larvae, the body color is white at first, and turns yellow-brown after the first molt. It molts once every 4 to 6 days, and molts 6 times in total during the larval stage. The larvae pupate in the feed when they are 30 days old. When they pupate, they put their heads upside down in the feed and move them left and right to rub their heads to pupate. The room temperature is above 20℃, and the pupae molt into adults after a week. After the insects just eclode, their wings are white and soft and thin, and they become hard and dark brown after 1 to 2 days. They like to move at night, crawl quickly, and do not like to fly. They lay eggs one week after eclosion. There are about 700-800 barleyworm larvae per kilogram, with a male-female ratio of 6:4. There are about 400 female insects that can lay eggs. Each female insect lays at least 300 eggs. After half a year of breeding, 120,000 larvae can be produced, which is equivalent to 170 kilograms. Considering the death and other factors in breeding, a conservative method can also be used to calculate 100-120 kilograms of larvae. On this basis, after using the same method to raise them for another half a year, the number of reproductions in a year is so huge that it cannot be calculated in numbers.

Edit this section Breeding

The mealworm belongs to the Arthropoda, Insecta, Coleoptera, and Tenebrioideae. The larvae are 7 cm long, 0.5 cm wide, and weigh 1.3-1.5 g per worm, which is 3-4 times the length, weight, and width of the mealworm or black mealworm. The mealworm, commonly known as the super mealworm, is a new type of bait insect that has just begun to be cultivated in China. The larvae of the mealworm contain 51% protein, 29% fat, and a variety of sugars, amino acids, vitamins, hormones, enzymes, and minerals such as phosphorus, iron, potassium, sodium, and calcium. The nutritional value is higher than that of other bait insects, and the breeding prospects are extremely broad. It can not only be used as a high-protein fresh feed for raising golden arowana, frogs, turtles, snakes, and rare livestock and poultry, but also as a high-end dish for people to enjoy. The barley worm is large in size, and its growth cycle and speed are the same as those of the mealworm. It has a miscellaneous diet and wide adaptability, mainly eating bran, vegetables, and fruits. It has a wide range of feed sources and low breeding costs, making it suitable for residents in various parts of my country. Its output is 3-4 times that of the mealworm, and its economic and social benefits are very significant. The breeding of barley worms started early in the international market, and there has been no report of successful large-scale breeding in China. Since the introduction of this demonstration farm in 2005, through long-term experiments and breeding, it has fully mastered its ecological habits and growth and reproduction laws, solved key technologies such as delivery room settings, feed formulas, temperature and humidity control, and pupal eclosion, and scientifically summarized a set of optimal breeding models, providing a strong bait guarantee for the rapid development of special aquatic animals and rare livestock and poultry. As a protein source for advanced baits, barley worms have a very broad domestic and foreign market demand. At present, the price of mealworms abroad is 15 cents per piece, which is 1,000 yuan if calculated at 700 pieces per kilogram; the price in the domestic market is 100 yuan per kilogram, and there is often a situation where there is a price but no goods, so it has broad market potential and demand. The breeding technology of mealworms is roughly the same as that of yellow mealworms, but it is slightly different in the main links such as plant setting, feed formula, temperature and humidity control, and pupation and eclosion. Once the breeders receive technical training, they can master the essentials and operate independently. The main equipment for mealworms is mesh screens and feeding containers. Mesh screen box: for adult insects to lay eggs, and also a tool for separating eggs, insect bodies and bait. A wooden box frame can be used to install a gauze with a mesh of 3 mm. Containers: cabinets, boxes, pools, boxes, etc. The size of the mesh box depends on the amount of insects, and the maximum size is 70 cm × 45 cm × 18 cm (we all use this plastic frame for breeding). The inner walls of the container must be smooth to prevent mealworms from crawling out and to prevent damage by spiders, geckos, mantises and other insects.

Edit this section breeding technology

The best place to raise mealworms is in a house that is sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, warm in winter and cool in summer. The light should not be too strong and it should be kept warm. The most suitable temperature is 18-30℃ and the relative humidity is 70%. When the temperature is high in summer, sprinkle water on the ground to cool it down; keep warm in winter to ensure the normal growth and development of mealworms.

Feeding of adults: Adults start laying eggs 6 to 11 days after emergence, and will lay eggs continuously for up to 50 days until they die. First, place a special sieve at the bottom of the feeding basket (the sieve is made of 3-mesh stainless steel wire, with an area equal to the bottom of the basket, and its main function is to quickly separate adults and egg masses), sprinkle adult food on the sieve, and 3 days after the adults lay eggs, lift the sieve below and sift it lightly, and all the eggs and wheat bran will fall down. What remains on the sieve are all adults. Immediately put the sieve and the adults into another breeding basket, add the adult feed and continue to let the adults lay eggs (adults lay eggs in the feed), and repeat this cycle; after a week, the larvae hatch, and the small and large barley worms are poured into the feeding container filled with wheat bran for feeding. You can also put the adults on a piece of white paper, sprinkle some bran on the paper, and let the adults lay eggs. Change the paper every two or three days, and the survival rate is generally more than 90%. In this operation method, the feed for adults should be changed once every 7-10 days. There may be egg material in the replaced feed. Do not pour it out immediately, but put it in a centralized place. After the egg mass is hatched, use feed to attract and collect it in another feeding frame for feeding. After each egg collection, green feed and concentrate feed should be appropriately added to the adults, and waste materials or pupae skins should be cleaned up in time. See the following introduction for feed formula and feeding method. Adults like to be active at night, so feed more at night. Green feed can be directly put into the feeding container and let the mealworms feed freely. In summer, the temperature is high, the larvae grow faster, and molt more. Feed more green feed, provide sufficient water, and feed some vegetable leaves, fruits, etc. Feed more when the temperature is high and less when the temperature is low. In the early stage of larvae, feed less concentrate, feed less or no feed when molting, and increase the feeding amount as the insect body grows after molting. You can also mix the concentrate with water into small balls, cut into small pieces and put them on the mesh screen for free feeding. The amount of erbium fed per day is limited to the feed in the box eaten up at night. The method of feeding enough in the morning and evening and supplementing at noon is adopted. During the larval rearing period, attention should be paid to the combination of fine feed and green feed. In the early stage, fine feed is mainly used, and green feed is supplemented. In the later stage, green feed is mainly used, and fine feed is supplemented. Immature larvae should be fed more green vegetables, which is beneficial to the growth and development of pupae and adults. Some old larvae have poor appetite after the pupation period, and fish meal can be added to promote uniform pupation. Larvae have different sizes due to different growth rates. They are raised in boxes according to size. One box can raise 3,000 to 4,000 larvae and 2,000 to 3,000 old larvae. During the rearing process, it is necessary to timely separate the boxes according to the density to reduce the rearing density, because too high a density will cause the mealworms to kill each other. When the larvae pupate, more green feed is added, which is conducive to pupation and the emergence of pupae. Every day, the pupae should be picked up in time and put into another box, and then a layer of fine feed should be sprinkled on it, so as not to cover the pupae, to avoid the larvae from hurting the pupae, and to maintain temperature and gas exchange.

Edit this section Feed formula

1. Feed formula for larvae: 35% wheat bran, 35% complete feed for medium-sized pigs (or complete feed for large ducks), 10% soybean cake, 20% fermented bran or straw, in addition, add 50 grams of multivitamins for feeding (Jinsavi), 80 grams of premix for pigs (slaughtered within 100 days), and 250 grams of mixed salt for feeding.

2. Formula for adults: 50% wheat bran, 4% fish meal, 15% complete feed for medium-sized pigs (or complete feed for large ducks), 26% fermented straw or bran, 4% sugar, and 1% mixed salt. In addition, add 50 grams of multivitamins for feeding (Golden Saiwei), 80 grams of premix for pigs (100 days before slaughter), and 250 grams of mixed salt for feeding. This formula is suitable for adults in the egg-laying period, which can prolong the life of adults and increase egg production.

The processing methods of the above two feed formulas are: mix all the ingredients evenly. Since the fermented straw is wet, it can be fed directly after mixing. The barley worm likes to eat it very much, so the mixed feed should be fed immediately; you can also add an appropriate amount of water to knead it into a ball, press it into a small cake, and use it after drying. Breeders with conditions can use a feed pellet machine to expand it into pellets for use. The above feed formula has proved to be very effective in practice. Cannibalism rarely occurs, the growth condition is good, and there is no disease at present. Please refer to the relevant information for the treatment method of straw and bran. The above feed is a concentrated feed. In addition to concentrated feed, the barley worms need a lot of green feed, fruit peels, vegetable leaves, etc. In addition to these green feeds, we feed more ryegrass and bamboo grass. It is best to simply crush the bamboo grass before feeding. Concentrated feed and green feed generally account for about 1:2 each. The cost of raising 1 kg of barley worm larvae is preliminarily calculated as: about 1.5 kg of concentrated feed and about 3 kg of green feed. As breeding technology matures, breeding costs will be further reduced.

Edit this paragraph Economic value

The barley worm is large in size, and the proportion of chitin in its body wall is small, which is conducive to the digestion of the feeding object. It can completely replace crickets or be used in combination with crickets and locusts. It has unique advantages, especially for large predators, lizards, amphibians and reptiles. With the maturity of breeding technology and the reduction of feed costs, the current breeding cost of barley worms can be basically equivalent to that of yellow mealworms (mainly because the seed price is high, generally at least 180 yuan per kilogram, and several domestic seed sellers actually offer 500 yuan/kilogram). Since the output is about 5 times that of yellow mealworms, it is believed that replacing the royal yellow mealworm as a precious aquatic product and animal can be achieved within two years. Barley worms are not only excellent bait for various pets and various rare livestock and poultry, but also can be used as high-end dishes for people to eat. At present, production is in the initial stage, and there is unlimited market demand. At the same time, the breeding and development of barley worms belong to the category of agricultural production, without technical, trade barriers and policy restrictions. Compared with other industries, it undoubtedly has great competitiveness.

I hope you will adopt and give me a good review. I am a breeder.

Mealworms and mealworms are two insects. There is no difference in the breeding density, but mealworms are larger in size, so the number of mealworms in each breeding tray (under equal gravity) should obviously be less than that of mealworms to maintain a moderate breeding temperature.

Barley worms are larger than mealworms, have higher nutritional value, and are darker in color than mealworms.