Superworms

  • Are superworms and mealworms the same?

    No, although they are related since they are both darkling beetle larvae. Superworms are Zophobas morio, and mealworms are Tenebrio molitor. Superworms are much larger than mealworms (giant mealworms being an exception). They also have a dark brown head and tail, while mealworms tend to be light...
  • Can I make small or medium superworms larger?

    Yes, if you feed and house your superworms properly, they will naturally grow larger with time. Some of them may even turn into beetles! They grow best in temperatures around 78°F. It can take four to six months for freshly-hatched superworms to grow to their full size. You can find detailed in...
  • Do I need to dust superworms with supplements before feeding them to my pet?

    Yes. Superworms contain unusually high amounts of phosphorus, which can prevent your pet from absorbing calcium properly. For perspective, the ideal dietary Ca:P ratio for most captive reptiles is 2:1, and superworms have an average ratio of 1:13.5. You can resolve this issue by dusting superwo...
  • Do superworms bite?

    Yes, they can bite, but it's not likely to hurt. Their mouths are too small to damage human skin. They may be able to hurt reptiles and amphibians with thin or delicate skin. You may see your pet flinch if they get bitten. If you're concerned, you can crush or remove the superworms' heads before...
  • How can I keep my superworms alive longer?

    Keeping superworms alive for a long time is so easy! In fact, it's more challenging to get them to pupate than it is to store them for long-term feeding. Room Temperature Unlike most other feeder insects, superworms last the longest at room temperature. Storing them in a refrigerator, wine cool...
  • How do I feed superworms to my pets?

    Before being fed to a reptile or amphibian, superworms need to be coated in calcium powder, which helps balance the high amount of phosphorus that they contain. Do this by sticking the worms in a paper or plastic bag with some calcium powder inside and gently shaking until they are evenly coated....
  • How do I gut-load superworms?

    High-quality commercial superworm gut load formula can be used, or you can give them pieces of nutritious, nontoxic vegetables like squash, sweet potato, and dark leafy greens. Avoid using avocado, onions, and other vegetables that are known to be harmful to reptiles. Superworms should be gut-lo...
  • How do I house my superworms?

    After you have ordered your superworms from DubiaRoaches.com, they will arrive in a small plastic tub or cloth sack used for transport. It's best to take them out of this transport container and transfer them to a permanent form of housing, which can be a plastic tub or critter keeper. If using a...
  • How long do superworms last?

    Superworms last a really long time! They generally live about 6-12 months if you keep them properly. The better you take care of them, the fewer of them will die before you have a chance to feed them off.
  • How old/big does my pet need to be before I can start feeding them superworms?

    Superworms can generally be fed to any reptile/amphibian/invertebrate of any size, although tegus and large monitors may not be interested in them. The size of your pet will determine what size of superworm will be best to give to them, as the worm needs to easily fit in their mouth to be chewed ...
  • Some of my superworms are white! Is there something wrong with them?

    This is perfectly normal. Like other insects, superworms shed their exoskeleton (outer shell) periodically as they grow, a behavior known as molting. Freshly molted superworms are creamy white in color and are very soft, but they will return to normal color and hardness in a few hours as they dry...
  • What are superworms?

    Superworms (Zophobas morio) are a type of darkling beetle larvae. They are a common feeder insect for both insectivorous and omnivorous reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and other exotic pets. This is because they are readily available, inexpensive, and easy to house. Superworms are high in fa...
  • What are the nutrition facts for superworms?

    Moisture — 57.9% Protein — 19.7% Fat — 17.7% Ash — 1.0% Fiber — 2.7% Calcium — 177mg/kg Phosphorus — 2370mg/kg
  • What do superworms eat?

    Superworms are not picky eaters — they'll eat just about anything you give them. However, the nutrition that your pet receives from eating them is affected by their diet, so it's best to give them a diet that is appropriate for them and contains nutrients that your reptile/amphibian/invertebrate ...
  • What if I receive something I didn't order?

    If you receive the wrong item, shoot us a message with your order number, the item you received, and the item you were supposed to receive. We do our best to avoid mix-ups, but mistakes still happen on occasion, and we'll be happy to send you a replacement.
  • What if my order of superworms arrives dead?

    We make every effort to ensure that your order arrives alive, which is why we also include a few extra to compensate for any losses. However, we can't always guarantee the weather or how the postal service will treat your package. If your order arrives dead, please send us a photo of the dead sup...
  • What substrate should be used for superworms?

    Superworms tend to do best in an oat bran substrate. This substrate functions as both a bedding and a food source, although they still need a separate source of hydration, and gut-loading prior to feeding is highly recommended.