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Breeding mealworms: 2. Mating

on 20th November 2016

Part 1 LINK

MealwormBeetle-mating

Left alone, the male Darkling beetle (Tenebrio molitor) will seek out a female to mate. Invariably the male will mount the female with its head facing the posterior end of the female (above). The male will slowly dismount and remount with its head properly aligned with that of the female (below).

MealwormBeetle-mating

The male will then stroke the female with its antennae and legs. Only then will it attempt to insert its reproductive organ (adeagous) (below, arrowed)…

MealwormBeetle-mating

…into the female’s genital opening to transfer its package of sperms (see videos below).

Mating can take up to 2 minutes before the male moves away.

The female will generally lay hundreds of sticky microscopic eggs LINK.

YC Wee
Singapore
15th September 2016

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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