Mealworms vs. Superworms - Which is the Better Feeder?
Mealworms vs. Superworms - Which is the Better Feeder?
Planning your pet’s diet is one of the most important parts of making sure they stay happy and healthy. Once you get into the rhythm of keeping a reptile, frog, or tarantula, you won’t think about it much. But in the beginning, it can be a big decision. You need to make sure they get all the nutrition they need and avoid digestive problems.
For bearded dragons and leopard geckos, lots of people choose superworms or mealworms as a staple food. They seem very similar at a glance, and that’s no mistake. They’re cousins.
But that doesn’t make them the same. In fact, there are a few crucial differences that might make you choose one over the other. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know to pick the best feeder for your reptile pet.
Carnivore and Omnivore Dietary Needs
The first thing to consider when picking a feeder insect is what your pet needs. Most reptile pets are either omnivores, like bearded dragons, or insectivore, like leopard geckos.
Bearded dragons' diets change over the course of their lives. As juveniles, they need lots of insects with a high protein and fat content to facilitate growth. Along with all that high-energy food, they also need good leafy greens like kale or collard greens and fruit like apple and banana. They also need a high intake of calcium, low fiber, and lots of moisture to help their digestion. As they get older, they will transition to become more vegetarian, although they still love to hunt and will enjoy some insect protein.
Leopard geckos are strict carnivores from birth. Because they get all their nutrition from insects, it’s important to make sure they get a few different feeders. It’s wise to give them some bugs that are higher in protein and others that are higher in fat. They also need high calcium (which can be hard to get from insects), low fiber, and plenty of moisture in their diet.
It’s also important to note that when picking a feeder insect, the feeder should be as long as the distance between your pet’s eyes. So as your pet grows, so should their feeders. As we’ll see, this can be an issue with certain species.
Mealworm and Superworm Biology
The mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and superworm (Zophobas atratus) look very similar, and that’s no coincidence. They’re both members of the family Tenebrionidae, or darkling beetles, which comprises over 20,000 species. But for all they have in common, their biology differs in a few key ways.
The main one you would notice externally is their size. Mealworms are significantly smaller than superworms. They both spend several months (up to six) as larvae, during which time mealworms will max out at around 1.25” long. Superworms, on the other hand, can reach 2.5” long.
So one obvious benefit of superworms is that they will work as a feeder for both smaller (using smaller larvae) and larger reptiles.
Digestibility
The other major difference is chitin content. Mealworms have a dense chitinous exoskeleton. Chitin is a largely indigestible substance found in all insects, and too much of it can cause digestive problems. This reason alone is enough to make some reptile owners steer clear of mealworms, as they can cause compaction.
But depending on what kind of pet you have, this may not be a big deal. Spiders, for example, liquefy their food before eating it, so chitin content doesn’t matter. For jumping spiders and small tarantulas, mealworms are a perfect size and won’t harm them.
Nutrition Comparison
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty. These are the nutrition facts for both species.
Mealworm Nutrition Facts
Protein: 20%
Fat: 13%
Moisture: 62%
Ash: 1.5%
Fiber: 5.7%
Calcium to phosphorus ratio: 1:8-1:17
Superworm Nutrition Facts
Protein: 19.7%
Fat: 17.7%
Moisture: 57.9%
Ash: 1%
Fiber: 2.7%
Calcium to Phosphorus ratio: 1:13
As you can see, they’re pretty similar. Superworms are fattier, have a little less ash, and much less fiber. The difference in fiber is the main stand-out distinction between the two, and the main reason reptile owners pick superworms over mealworms.
You’ll also notice that both species are low on calcium. Ideally, reptiles need a 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus. Neither mealworms nor superworms get even close to that. But not to worry, you can always just dust your feeders with calcium supplement to get them in the right zone.
Which Do Reptiles Prefer?
Omnivore or carnivore, hunters just love to hunt. It’s important to get an active feeder insect that will give your pet something to chase after. This is huge in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially for species like bearded dragons that are prone to obesity.
Between the two, superworms are definitely more active and engaging to hunt for predators. If your reptile is energetic and active, superworms are the obvious choice. As I mentioned, superworms are also an obvious choice for reptiles that have outgrown mealworms.
But hunting isn’t the only thing to consider. Mealworms keep really well in the fridge and they’re very easy to handle. So for smaller pets that aren’t affected by high fiber, especially smaller species like jumping spiders, mealworms are perfect. Dry mealworms also make great feed for chickens and turtles.
Maintaining a Varied Diet
As they say, it’s variety (not bugs) that is the spice of life. This guide only addresses the topic of finding a staple feeder for your pet. But it’s important to make sure they have what they need beyond just a good source of protein and fat.
For omnivores (like beardies), you’re also going to need plenty of fresh, healthy veggies and fruits. Leopard geckos need a mix of different insects. We like to recommend dubia roaches and black soldier flies as supplementary feeders. They’re easy to keep and both have great nutritional contents.
It’s also worth mentioning again that mealworms and superworms both need to be dusted with calcium supplement. Depending on your pet’s nutritional needs, you might need a higher protein content, which you can do by gut loading them with our gut load mix.