mealworm

Everyday

1. The larva (young form) of a darkling beetle; it looks like a small yellow-brown worm and eats grain and flour. tree →
2. Mealworms sold as food for birds, reptiles and pets. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons mealworms are used to watch life cycles: larva, pupa, beetle. Bird lovers put mealworms out for robins. Some people eat them as insect food rich in protein. They are not real worms. Phrases: «dried mealworms», «mealworm beetle».

Examples

• We watched our mealworms turn into beetles. tree →
• Robins love mealworms in winter. tree →
• My lizard eats live mealworms. tree →
• A mealworm is a larva, not a worm. tree →
• Mealworms can live in old flour. tree →
• Some people cook mealworms as a snack. tree →

Note

One word. Countable. Not a real worm — it is an insect.