Zophobas is a genus of beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, the darkling beetles. They occur in the Americas, from the Neotropics into southernmost United States. In Cuba beetles of this genus are known as blind click-beetles.Garrido, O. H. and E. Gutierrez. (1994). Variability of Zophobas rugipes Kirsch (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tenebrioninii) in Cuba. Insecta Mundi. 8(3-4). Paper 284.
Perhaps the best known species is Zophobas morio, synonymously known as Zophobas atratus, a beetle whose larvae are robust mealworms sold as food for pets such as lizards. The larvae are known commonly as "superworms".Darkling Beetle and Larva, Zophobas morio. Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. Superworms should not be confused with darkling beetle mealworms sprayed with juvenile hormone. Studies have found that in the wild the larvae sometimes live in bat guano, and they tend to cannibalize the pupae of their own species. Researchers have discovered that the larvae can subsist on a diet solely of polystyrene (Styrofoam).
Species The following species are assigned to this genus:
References