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ShortStuff
Lv 5
ShortStuff asked in PetsReptiles · 10 years ago

What is the black stuff on my mealworms?

I recently bought 100 meal worms from a local dealer to feed my to my gecko. I let them all hang out and eat for a couple days before putting them in the fridge to hibernate. Today, when I was getting ready to put them in the fridge, I noticed some a black, sticky substance like tar on some of the worms. The tar is only on their heads and the tips of their tails, but it is sticky enough that pieces of oatmeal stick to them and won't come off. The worms with the tar seem more lethargic than the ones without the stuff.

Does anyone know what might be causing this? Are these worms safe to feed to my gecko?

Thanks,

Andi

Update:

I have bred my own meal worms, and never seen this before. It is not part of the normal cycle. I am worried that it means the worms are sick or carrying some disease that could be passed onto my gecko.

Update 2:

I am not planning on feeding the ones with the black stuff to my gecko, but there are very healthy looking ones too...do you think I can still feed the good ones to him, or is there a chance that they might make him sick too?

Please only answer if you have seen or heard of this before. Guesses aren't helpful.

3 Answers

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  • Hanna
    10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I think that is part of their life cycle. They eventually turn into beetles and i think this means that they are going through that transformation. Dead mealworms turn black so maybe they are dying. I think it is still safe to feed because it's not like they could have gotten into actual tar or anything deadly.

  • Catcom1
    Lv 4
    10 years ago

    When breeding or feeding insects to an animal, the rule of thumb is, "When in doubt, throw it out." Just as there are an innumerable amount of unclassified insects, there are just as many diseases. Get a new batch. Sounds like mold, but other things have similar symptoms. Without seeing them or knowing the conditions the worms are kept in, we are ALL guessin' at this point.

    Source(s): Former frog and toad breeder
  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    eat it and find out... no seriously it sounds really bad like it would probably kill ur gecko

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