mealworm

[ meel-wurm ]

noun

1. the larva of any of several darkling beetles of the genus Tenebrio, which infests granaries and is used as food for birds and animals.

mealworm

/ ˈmiːlˌwɜːm /

noun

1. the larva of various beetles of the genus Tenebrio, esp T. molitor, feeding on meal, flour, and similar stored foods: family Tenebrionidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of mealworm¹

First recorded in 1650–60; meal ² + worm