# mealworm beetle

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A darkling beetle (or darkening beetle) of species Tenebrio molitor, in the family Tenebrionidae, whose larvae (mealworms) are typically used as a food source for reptile, fish, and avian pets.

## Etymology
From meal + worm + beetle.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/mealworm-beetle