With a little help from my friends...the beetles

I have found that breeding insects is a fascinating process, although it also takes some time (one of the current barriers to mass production of insects as a protein source) as the need to split the chrysalises from the mealworms and then any beetles from the chrysalises.

Each box has been laid with oats and - in the boxes for mealworms and beetles - some veg (I have been using leftovers such as offcuts of carrots, ginger, broccoli etc. as well as apple cores, and the remains of grapefruit after breakfast). 

The shop-bought mealworms have gradually been metamorphosing one-by-one and I have had to pick each pale, shape and put them into another box and wait, and check and wait.... and within a week or so I have got beetles!

These little beauties are now going to help provide me with my own generation of mealworms that I can feed and eat. In order for them to lay eggs I have also added egg boxes to their box, which apparently act as a favourite place for beetles to lay them.

The transformation from mealworm, via their chrysalis into a beetle must take so much energy - the larger exoskeleton and body must require a lot of protein - hence the mealworms are packing a lot in before undergoing the process.

I'll be keeping my eyes out for eggs and then my first generation of mealworms. Keeping them in the airing cupboard at as close to 30 degrees as possible is the best environment for them and the heat that we've had here in the UK has been helping towards that end.

I know that eating insects is going to be a big step for some people (unless we can start sneaking them into our food without people knowing a la any sweet with crispy shell, made from cochilea), so - if you want to learn more about how you can eat more sustainably without taking that plunge (yet!) then take a look at the Sustainable Food Trust site.