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To mature the superworms, they must be kept alone for about 7–10 days.
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Keeping superworms this way is commonly used to hinder pupation. The larvae will not pupate if kept in a container with many other larvae and plentiful food, where they receive constant bodily contact. Once they reach adult size, the larvae pupate, and later emerge as large, light coloured beetles, which in time darken to black. The larvae resemble very large mealworms, about 50 to 60 mm (1.7–2.25 in) long when full size, but unlike mealworms, the ends of their bodies are very dark, almost resembling a black color. Superworms are common in the reptile pet industry as food, along with giant mealworms, which are Tenebrio molitor larvae sprayed with juvenile hormone. Zophobas morio is a species of darkling beetle, whose larvae are known by the common name superworm, kingworm, morio worm or simply Zophobas.
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