- Despite their name, mealworms aren’t actually worms—they are the larvae of the darkling beetle. These larvae have a segmented, worm-like body but are insects, not worms.
- Mealworms are widely used as bird food due to their high protein and fat content. They’re also popular in reptile diets and fishing bait.
- Mealworms grow through several stages before becoming beetles, completing their life cycle in a few months.
Understanding what mealworms are helps gardeners and bird enthusiasts appreciate their value as a natural, nutritious food source for many British garden birds.
