Fascinating Facts
Darkling beetles can be kept as pets if fed solely on dry
oatmeal and small pieces of
apple or potato
(Woodland Park Zoo).
When Darkling beetles are disturbed they raise their abdomen and lower their heads (Woodland Park Zoo).
The largest beetle in the world is a Darkling beetle (Dunn 1996).
Mealworms are used as a food source for pet
reptiles and birds
(Woodland Park Zoo).
Darkling beetles do not need to drink water, they absorb water directly from their food (Woodland Park Zoo).
Xylomannan is only found in Upis ceramboides beetles as of January 2012. This anti-freeze molecules prevent membranes from rupturing at extremely low temperatures! (Miller 1978)