Tenebrio molitor larvae are the squirmy golden-brown mealworms that you may have found in your garden pot. While these insects might not win the beauty pageant, they are stars in sustainability circles and as a part of animal diets.
What is the fascination with these tiny crawlers all about? Discover their secrets and learn some really fascinating things about them that go far beyond their wriggly exterior.
**A Meal for Many**
Mealworms can be found in many pet foods, such as those for birds, reptiles and even fish. Like snack-sized candy, they are easily handled and enjoyed by many. These animals are a favorite pet food because they provide vital nutrients. It’s not only pets that eat these animals; they are also becoming more popular in chickens’ and even human’s diets! You’ve read it right. Mealworms provide a sustainable form of protein and are being used in cuisines around the world. In a variety of ways, including roasted, baked and even ground into a flour, mealworms are pushing culinary boundaries.
**Busy Bodies have Benefits**
These little wrigglers can do more than feed our bellies. Mealworms help to protect our environment. Because they are able consume a wide range of waste, such as plastics or styrofoams, they act as little environmentalists. They can reduce landfills by munching through waste.
**A Farmer’s Little Aider**
Mealworms don’t require a lot of space and thrive in simple environments. Vertical farming fits well with urban agricultural practices. Their diet is a mixture of grains, fruits, and vegetables. Low-maintenance ‘farming” mealworms at home is accessible to those who are interested in sustainable practices. Mealworms are a way to reduce your carbon impact while generating a sustainable source of food in your home.
**Scientific Superstars**
The mealworm is a star in the lab. Scientists study them to learn about insect behavior. Their relatively simple biochemistry makes them a perfect subject for scientific investigations without the ethical issues often associated higher animals. These investigations provide insights that are applicable to areas such genetics neurology and even robots.
**Unlikely allergy fighters**
Here’s another twist on this story. Recent studies suggest that the mealworm could be used to combat allergies caused by plastic. Scientists have begun to investigate the enzymes behind this process as mealworms can break down some plastics. Scientists are hoping to harness the enzymes and create new types of biodegradable polymers or better allergy treatments. Fascinating, right?
**Fashion Forward**
Unbelievable or not, mealworms found their way in the fashion world. Innovative designers are using mealworms in order to create a sustainable material. By processing mealworm shells into a material that is similar to leather, the eco-friendly product can become a reality. This biofabricated item is not only sustainable but also eco-friendly. It gives fashion designers a sustainable alternative that will reduce the reliance of animal leather.
This tiny footprint has a huge potential
Even though they are small, mealworms have a significant impact on our world. These tiny crawlers can do everything from reduce waste to feed the population and even decrease the carbon footprint in the fashion world. At first glance, the idea of using mealworms to improve our lives in different ways might seem absurd. While we search for answers in an increasingly complicated world, simple solutions may hold the answer. Mealworms have great potential, regardless of whether they’re used to fight waste, as snacks, or for scientific purposes.