mealworm

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noun meal·worm \ -ˌwərm \

Definition of mealworm

:the larva of a darkling beetle (especially genus Tenebrio) that infests grain products but is often raised as food for insectivorous animals, for laboratory use, or as fishing bait

See mealworm defined for kids

Recent Examples of mealworm from the Web

On Monday, zookeeper Sherry Barlet used donated treat dispensers to feed mealworms to meerkats.

— nicole blanchard, idahostatesman, "What keeps Zoo Boise’s lions purring? Blood popsicles and Victoria’s Secret perfume," 2 Aug. 2017
Kids — and those who are kids at heart — can brush up on their bug-collecting skills, work on arts and crafts centered on insects, and taste cooked mealworm larva in mesquite, teriyaki and barbecue.

— lisa deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Top weekend events: Comic-Con, Japanese pop culture party, Mystery Science Theater 3000," 21 July 2017
Kids — and the kid at heart — can brush up on their bug-collecting skills, work on arts and crafts centered around insects, and taste cooked mealworm larva in mesquite, teriyaki and barbecue.

— lisa deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Get up close with creepy-crawlers at the Insect and Ladybug Festival," 20 July 2017
As the insects grow, the Beta Hatch team removes the frass the mealworms produce, and replenishes their food.

— kara carlson, The Seattle Times, "Wriggle room: Beta Hatch’s insect farm grows millions of mealworms," 22 June 2017
For the first stunt, Roeschlein had to lie down in a glass box while covered in mealworms, snakes and scorpions as McNew was busy trying to find the key to free her teammate, who is also her roommate.

— anthony clark carpio, Burbank Leader, "2 Burbank residents faced their fears on MTV," 15 June 2017
A mealworm with a cricket floated just off the bottom is productive on browns and rainbows off the Peninsula, Rec #2, Rocky Point and off Red Bank on anchor or slow trolling ‘

— by roger george and dave hurley, sacbee.com, "Fishing report: Week of June 5," 6 June 2017
On each child’s desk is a small plastic cup with two holes in the top for the mealworms, which are soon to be fully formed beetles.

— mike ellis, USA TODAY, "Celebrating Mother's Day when mom has died," 15 May 2017
Tipping jogs with half of a wax or mealworm has been productive.

— colorado parks & wildlife, The Denver Post, "Colorado fishing report for the week of Feb. 26, 2017," 26 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mealworm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.