darkling beetle

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of darkling beetle

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Enter a species of darkling beetle larvae known as Zophobas morio.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2022

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 • Jun. 10, 2022