darkling beetle

noun

1. any brown or black beetle of the family Tenebrionidae, the larvae of which feed on dead or decaying plant material, fungi, stored grain, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of darkling beetle¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

The plump, glossy larvae of the darkling beetle, nicknamed “superworms” perhaps because of their size, are usually content to munch on wheat bran.

From New York Times

While the mealworm may look like an unappetizing maggot, it is in fact the larvae of the darkling beetle, rich in protein, fat and fibre.

From Reuters