2
Aeration
The process of providing adequate air circulation in a mealworm farm to maintain optimal living conditions for the insects.
Environment
Beetle
The adult form of the mealworm, which has a hard exoskeleton and wings.
Lifecycle
Bioconversion
The process of converting organic waste into a usable product, such as mealworms, through the action of living organisms.
Nutrition
Biodegradable
The ability of a substance to be broken down into natural, harmless substances over time, usually through the action of microorganisms.
Sustainability
Cannibalism
The act of mealworms consuming other mealworms, often as a result of overcrowding or insufficient food sources.
Nutrition
Carbon footprint
The number of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, released into the atmosphere as a result of an individual or organisation's activities.
Sustainability
Chitin
A structural polysaccharide found in the exoskeleton of insects, including mealworms, which can have potential applications in agriculture, medicine, and other industries.
Insects
Circular economy
An economic system in which resources are used and reused in a closed loop, with little to no waste or pollution.
Environment
Commercial mealworm farming
The large-scale cultivation of mealworms for sale as a protein source in animal feed
Farming
Ecdysis
The shedding of the outer cuticle or exoskeleton during the molting process in arthropods
Lifecycle
Eclose
The term "eclose" refers to the process of emerging or hatching from the pupal stage of the mealworm life cycle. When a mealworm reaches the pupal stage, it forms a protective casing called a pupa or chrysalis. Inside this casing, metamorphosis occurs, transforming the mealworm into an adult beetle. The act of breaking open or coming out of the pupal casing to emerge as an adult beetle is known as "eclosing."
Lifecycle
Egg incubation
The period between when a female darkling beetle lays eggs and when the mealworm larvae hatch
Lifecycle
Ethoxyquin
An antioxidant used as a preservative in some mealworm feeds
Nutrition
Farming System
The method used to raise mealworms, which can range from small-scale, decentralised systems to large-scale, centralised facilities.
Farming
Feeding rate
The amount and frequency of food provided to mealworms
Nutrition
Growth rate
The speed at which mealworms increase in size
Nutrition
Humidity
The amount of moisture in the air, which is an important factor in the growth and development of mealworms.
Environment
Hydration source
A source of water provided to mealworms
Nutrition
Insect farming
The cultivation of insects
General
Larvae
The immature stage of an insect that undergoes a metamorphosis.
Lifecycle
Larval density
The number of mealworm larvae per unit of space in a farming setup
Farming
Mealworm
Also known as Yellow Mealworm, is the larvae of the darkling beetle (Tenebrio molitor), commonly used as food for pets and human consumption.
Lifecycle
Mealworm sorter
A device or method used to separate mealworms by size or stage of development for efficient harvesting or management
Farming
Mite infestation
The presence of mites
Farming
Mortality rate
The proportion of mealworms that die during a specific period
Lifecycle
Nutrients
The substances in food that provide nourishment for living organisms, including mealworms.
Organic mealworm farming
The practice of cultivating mealworms using organic materials and methods
Farming
Organic waste
Waste material derived from living organisms and can be decomposed, such as food scraps or plant matter.
Sustainability
Pre-pupa
The final larval stage before a mealworm enters the pupal stage
Lifecycle
Probiotics
Beneficial microorganisms added to mealworm feed to improve gut health
Nutrition
Pupae
The stage of development between larva and adult, during which the insect transforms into its adult form.
Lifecycle
Regenerative agriculture
A type of agriculture that focuses on improving soil health and biodiversity, while also producing food for human consumption.
Sustainability
Sexual dimorphism
Physical differences between male and female darkling beetles
Lifecycle
Substrate
The material that mealworms live in and eat, usually consisting of grains, such as wheat bran or oats.
Nutrition
Sustainability
The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainability
Temperature
The degree of hotness or coldness of a substance or environment, which can significantly impact the growth and development of mealworms.
Environment
Zoonotic diseases
Diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans
Insects
Sorry, No items found on Entolab's Glossary.
2
— Frequently asked questions
GENERAL QUESTIONS
How does back pricing work?
Through a monthly membership, you will receive access to our knowledge base, and our cloud base applications with AI. And all the support you'll need to manage your farm efficiently.
How much space do I need?
Vertical farming is ideal for small spaces. In addition to being space-saving, it consumes few resources such as electricity, water and gas. And all of these are already available at home.
How much time do I have to dedicate?
You can spend from a couple of hours per week, up to 9 hours per week according to our calculations. We are always working to ensure that our system automates as many situations as possible to minimise the time spent on the farm.
SALES & SUPPORT
How much this would cost?
Starting your farm is very economical. You can start with a minimum of trays and a very simple structure. And you can scale up to industrial production or maintain it according to the space and needs available.
What's the minimum I need to start?
Through a monthly membership, you will receive access to information, applications and data to efficiently manage your insect farm.
Is it a complicated process?
Not at all, because we have simplified and documented the whole process. And with the support of our app, which aims to simplify farm management, you can start producing protein and fertiliser in no time.
