Few things are more exciting than watching a jumping spider tackle new prey. Recently, Betsy enjoyed her very first mealworm. She handled it brilliantly. The experience highlighted an important topic for keepers. Mealworms should always be fed safely.
Mealworms can be a fantastic source of nutrition and enrichment, but they also come with risks if offered incorrectly. Simple precautions can help keep your spider safe. Understanding the risks is the first step.
Are Mealworms Safe for a Jumping Spider?
Yes, mealworms can be safely fed to a jumping spider when offered correctly. Many spiders enjoy hunting them, and mealworms provide a nutritious source of protein.
However, unlike flies, mealworms are capable of defending themselves. They have strong mouthparts and can wriggle violently when threatened. A spider that grabs one near the rear of the body may trigger a defensive response. The mealworm may twist around and attempt to bite.
While serious injuries are uncommon, the risk is significant enough that mealworms should always be offered with supervision.
What Happened With Betsy?
During Betsy's first mealworm feeding, she successfully captured and subdued the prey. However, she initially grabbed the mealworm towards the back end rather than the head.
This isn't ideal because the mealworm still has the ability to move and defend itself. We gently held the mealworm in place using feeding tweezers. This reduced the risk of injury. Once Betsy's venom took effect, the mealworm became immobilised.
Everything went perfectly, but it served as a useful reminder of why mealworm feedings should always be supervised.
Why Can Mealworms Be Risky?
Mealworms differ from many other feeder insects commonly offered to a jumping spider.
Unlike green bottle flies or blue bottle flies, mealworms can:
- Bite back if handled incorrectly.
- Twist and wriggle unexpectedly.
- Burrow into substrate if ignored.
- Continue developing if left inside the enclosure.
Experienced hunters often cope well with mealworms. Younger and less experienced spiders may be more vulnerable to injury.
Safe Ways to Feed Mealworms
1. Supervise Every Feeding
Never place a live mealworm into an enclosure and walk away.
Always observe the feeding interaction until you are confident that your spider has successfully subdued its prey.
2. Use Feeding Tweezers
Holding the mealworm with feeding tweezers allows you to maintain control and intervene if necessary.
It also helps guide the prey into a position where your spider can safely strike.
3. Offer Appropriately Sized Prey
Choose mealworms that are suitable for the size of your jumping spider.
Oversized prey can increase the risk of injury and create unnecessary stress during feeding.
4. Consider Pre-Killed or Disabled Prey
Some keepers prefer to crush the mealworm's head before feeding or offer freshly pre-killed prey.
This removes the risk of the mealworm fighting back while still providing the nutritional benefits.
This can be particularly useful for very small spiders or individuals that struggle with larger prey items.
5. Remove Uneaten Mealworms
If a mealworm is ignored, remove it promptly.
Mealworms should never be left wandering around inside a jumping spider enclosure unsupervised.
Why We Never Leave Mealworms Unattended
A mealworm doesn't simply sit and wait if it isn't eaten.
Given the opportunity, it may:
- Burrow into substrate.
- Hide beneath décor.
- Pupate unnoticed.
- Emerge later as a darkling beetle.
Although jumping spiders are skilled hunters, accidents can happen. Supervising feeding sessions remains one of the simplest ways to protect your spider.
The Hidden Risk: Darkling Beetles
Many keepers are surprised. Mealworms are simply the larval stage of the darkling beetle (Tenebrio molitor).
If left in an enclosure long enough, a mealworm can:
- Burrow into the substrate.
- Enter the pupal stage.
- Emerge as an adult darkling beetle.
While this may seem harmless, darkling beetles are not considered suitable prey for jumping spiders.
Their hard outer shell can make them difficult for a jumping spider to tackle. There is also a risk of damage to delicate fangs or chelicerae. They are also capable of defending themselves and can bite if threatened.
In addition, darkling beetles may disturb décor, interfere with bioactive setups, and create unnecessary complications within the enclosure.
For these reasons, any uneaten mealworms should always be removed after feeding.
Adult Darkling Beetle Example
Adult darkling beetle (Tenebrio molitor) – the final stage of a mealworm's life cycle. This is one of the reasons uneaten mealworms should never be left in a jumping spider enclosure. 🪲🕷️
Final Thoughts
Mealworms can be an excellent addition to a jumping spider's diet when offered correctly. They are nutritious, widely available, and many spiders absolutely love hunting them.
The key is simple:
✅ Supervise every feeding.
✅ Offer appropriately sized prey.
✅ Use feeding tweezers when needed.
✅ Remove uneaten mealworms promptly.
Watching Betsy tackle her first mealworm was a fantastic experience. Every feeding session offers an opportunity to learn more about our spiders.
With a little supervision and common sense, feeding mealworms to jumping spiders can be both safe and enriching.
Please note: The accompanying video contains footage of a live feeding. While completely natural, some viewers may prefer not to watch prey being consumed. 🕷️🪱
Need to stock up on spider snacks? Visit our Spooder Cafe. You'll find live foods suitable for spiderlings and adult jumping spiders alike.
https://www.opusvita.co.uk/collections/live-food-fruit-flies-mealworms
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