larva	The mealworm may be tan or white. A mealworm needs to grow. Mealworms must molt in order to grow. The skin of the mealworm splits down the back and the mealworm slides out. When this happens, the mealworm is white. This is a sure sign that the mealworm has molted recently.
	pupa	The pupa is the inactive non feeding stage beetles go through during complete metamorphosis. During this pupal stage the growing larva transforms into a reproducing adult.
	adult	Two or three weeks after the mealworm has pupated, a mealworm beetle will emerge. This is known as a darkling beetle.

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