Effect of long-term refrigeration on the nutritional value of gut-loaded mealworms (Tenebrio molitor)

Citation

Leoni G and Peck R. 2025. Effect of long-term refrigeration on the nutritional value of gut-loaded mealworms (Tenebrio molitor). In Treiber K, Brooks M, D’amato-Anderson J, Nylander J, Eds. Proceedings of the Sixteenth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Oklahoma City, OK.

Abstract

The nutritional value of commercially reared insects may be improved by gut loading (Finke 2002; Bernard et al., 1997; Hunt et al., 2001; McClements et al., 2003). At Zoo Miami, an experiment was conducted to reduce labor and supply cost of maintaining feeder mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) by capitalizing on their natural dormancy and reduced metabolism when refrigerated between 45 to 50 °F. In the summer of 2025, a gut loading plus refrigeration method was tested to see how a gut loaded mealworm’s nutritional value changes over time under refrigeration.

PeckMealwormZN2025S5.pdf     230 KB