Meal worm beetles?

[ZEROPILOT]

I had purchased two small tubs of tiny mealworms for my small Panther Chameleon and then did not feed most of them due to what I later found out about them.
In the meantime, many of them have become small beetles. About 10mm or near 7/16"(or less)
Small. But too large for my baby Panther. Especially since he's still recovering from MBD.
However, I also have two adult Veileds.
Can these beetles be fed to adult Veileds or should I just humanely kill those beetles?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

An ancient 2011 forum search says "Yes"
But in moderation.

 

[Ramrod]

I had purchased two small tubs of tiny mealworms for my small Panther Chameleon and then did not feed most of them due to what I later found out about them.
In the meantime, many of them have become small beetles. About 10mm or near 7/16"(or less)
Small. But too large for my baby Panther. Especially since he's still recovering from MBD.
However, I also have two adult Veileds.
Can these beetles be fed to adult Veileds or should I just humanely kill those beetles?

Yes if your cham will eat them. Mine never wanted anything to do with them. Everything in moderation and they are crunchy
Or you could start your own little colony?

 

[TayloredExotics]

I call mealworms my chameleon french fries... You can feed them as worms, and the beetles are fine too. I wouldn't go making them a staple, but as a side dish they're fine They are a favorite treat of one of my female panthers, btw

 

[Hibiscusmile]

I had purchased two small tubs of tiny mealworms for my small Panther Chameleon and then did not feed most of them due to what I later found out about them.
In the meantime, many of them have become small beetles. About 10mm or near 7/16"(or less)
Small. But too large for my baby Panther. Especially since he's still recovering from MBD.
However, I also have two adult Veileds.
Can these beetles be fed to adult Veileds or should I just humanely kill those beetles?

What did you find out about them that worried you?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

What did you find out about them that worried you?

The mealworms are apparently not very nutritious

 

[Yoda Chameleon]

Yeah they aren't something you completely cannot feed, like a ladybug or something toxic, they are just not the best food

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

The mealworms are apparently not very nutritious

Faced with a choice like mealworms or nothing, my cham's getting mealworms.
They may not be as "perfect" as some feeders, but they're not exactly bad either.

The biggest objection—as far as I can tell—is using them as a staple. As part of a varied diet they should be fine.