Mealworm Beetle - Tenebrio molitor
Description
Tenebrio molitor is a species of darkling beetle. Length 12 to 18 mm, width 4.5 to 6 mm. Usually dark brown to almost black but light brown specimens are not uncommon. Entire upper surface punctate and somewhat shining.
Identification difficulty
Habitat
Often found around houses where it is attracted to lights.
When to see it
May to September.
Life History
The larvae are the familiar mealworms that are fed to birds.
UK Status
Widespread and previously fairly frequent in England, but possibly declining.
VC55 Status
Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 22 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.
Graham CalowSapcote garden102 June 2011
Graham CalowSapcote garden114 July 2013dark example
Graham CalowSapcote garden112 July 2014
David NichollsRatby garden14 July 2013
Graham CalowSapcote garden114 July 2013
David NichollsRatby garden14 July 2013
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015
UK Map
Graham CalowSapcote garden112 July 2014
Graham CalowSapcote garden114 July 2013
Graham CalowSapcote garden102 June 2011brown example
Graham CalowSapcote garden102 June 2011
Alan SemperHarby garden13 July 2012
Jo MooreInside house19 July 2013
