If you raise chickens, reptiles, or insect-eating pets, you have probably asked this question: Are mealworms or black soldier fly larvae better?

Both insects are widely used as high-protein animal treats, but they differ dramatically in nutrition, calcium content, digestion, and sustainability.

In this guide, we break down the science behind mealworms vs black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) so you can choose the best option for your animals.

Quick Answer: Mealworms vs BSFL

If you want the short version:

Feature	Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)	Mealworms
Protein	~40%	~45%
Fat	~25%	~30%
Calcium	Extremely high	Very low
Ca:P Ratio	~2.6:1 (ideal)	~1:16 (poor)
Digestibility	Easy to digest	Harder shell
Immune Support	Lauric acid antimicrobial	Minimal
Sustainability	Recycles food waste	Grain-fed

Bottom line:
Mealworms are a tasty treat, but black soldier fly larvae are nutritionally superior for most animals, especially chickens and reptiles.

What Are Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) are nutrient-dense insects raised as sustainable animal feed.

They have become one of the fastest growing protein sources in the global feed industry because they provide:

• high protein
• healthy fats
• naturally high calcium
• gut health benefits
• sustainable production

Brands like Supreme Grubs produce premium BSFL treats designed for backyard poultry and reptiles.

Unlike traditional feeder insects, BSFL are naturally rich in minerals and do not require calcium dusting.

What Are Mealworms?

Mealworms are the larval stage of the beetle Tenebrio molitor.

They are one of the most common feeder insects because they are:

• easy to farm
• high in fat
• widely available
• highly palatable for animals

However, despite their popularity, mealworms have several nutritional limitations, especially when used as a primary insect feed.

Nutrition Comparison: Mealworms vs BSFL

Both insects are rich in protein, but their nutritional profiles differ significantly.

Protein Content

Nutrient	BSFL	Mealworms
Crude Protein	~40%	~45–50%
Fat	~25%	~30%
Energy	High	Very high

Mealworms have slightly more protein, but BSFL provide a more balanced nutrient profile for most animals.

Calcium Content: The Biggest Difference

The most important nutritional difference is calcium.

Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio

Insect	Ca:P Ratio
BSFL	~2.6:1
Mealworms	~1:16

Animals like chickens, geckos, and bearded dragons require calcium for:

• bone development
• egg production
• muscle function
• nervous system health

Mealworms contain very little calcium, which means they often require calcium dusting or supplementation.

Black soldier fly larvae naturally contain 80–100x more calcium, making them one of the best feeder insects available.

For laying hens, this directly supports:

• stronger eggshells
• improved egg production
• healthier skeletal structure
  
  

Fat Profile and Immune Benefits

BSFL contain a unique fatty acid called lauric acid.

Why Lauric Acid Matters

Lauric acid is known for its antimicrobial properties.

Research shows it can help inhibit harmful bacteria such as:

• Clostridium
• Staphylococcus
• Salmonella

This supports:

• gut health
• immune function
• healthier digestion

Mealworms, on the other hand, are higher in omega-6 fats, which provide energy but offer fewer functional health benefits.

Digestibility: Which Is Easier for Animals?

Another important difference is the exoskeleton hardness.

Feature	BSFL	Mealworms
Shell hardness	Soft	Hard
Chitin	Moderate	Higher
Digestibility	Easier	Harder

Mealworms have a more rigid exoskeleton, which can be difficult for some animals to digest.

This is especially important for:

• juvenile reptiles
• small birds
• recovering wildlife

BSFL tend to be softer and easier to digest, making them safer as a regular treat.

Why BSFL Are Better for Chickens

For backyard flocks, BSFL offer several advantages.

Benefits for Chickens

Black soldier fly larvae help support:

• stronger eggshells
• improved feather health
• natural protein supplementation
• enrichment and natural foraging behaviour

Because they are rich in calcium, they are especially valuable for:

• laying hens
• older chickens
• birds recovering from stress or moulting

Many chicken keepers report that their flocks become extremely enthusiastic about BSFL treats, making them a great training and enrichment tool.

BSFL vs Mealworms for Reptiles

Reptile keepers often prefer BSFL for a simple reason: mineral balance.

Mealworms have been linked to metabolic bone disease (MBD) when used as a staple feeder insect.

BSFL help prevent this because they provide:

• naturally high calcium
• softer bodies
• improved digestibility

They are commonly recommended for:

• bearded dragons
• leopard geckos
• chameleons
• insectivorous lizards
  
  

Environmental Sustainability

Insect farming is rapidly expanding because it is far more sustainable than traditional feed sources.

Environmental Benefits of BSFL

Black soldier fly larvae can:

• convert food waste into protein
• reduce landfill methane
• require minimal land and water
• produce valuable organic fertiliser (frass)

In fact, BSFL can consume up to twice their body weight in organic waste per day.

This makes them one of the most powerful tools for building a circular agricultural economy.

When Mealworms Still Make Sense

Mealworms are not useless.

They still work well as:

• occasional treats
• high-energy snacks
• winter feeding supplements

Because they are high in fat, they can provide quick calories during cold months.

However, they should not be the primary insect feed for animals that require balanced minerals.

Final Verdict: BSFL vs Mealworms

Both insects have value, but for most animals black soldier fly larvae provide the superior nutritional profile.

Choose BSFL if you want:

• higher calcium
• better mineral balance
• immune-supporting fats
• easier digestion
• sustainable protein

Choose mealworms if you want:

• high-fat energy treats
• occasional enrichment snacks

For chickens, reptiles, and many insect-eating pets, BSFL are often the healthier long-term choice.

Try Premium BSFL for Your Flock

If you want to give your animals a more natural, nutrient-dense treat, consider switching to high-quality black soldier fly larvae.

Premium BSFL products like Supreme Grubs are carefully produced to provide:

• high protein
• natural calcium
• healthy fats
• safe, clean insect feed

Your chickens — and their eggshells — will thank you.

Perhaps 50 shades comes as a bit of an exaggeration, at least when it comes to dried black soldier flies, or any grubs. The range of colors that're likely to be observed when it comes to grubs ranges from golden to dark brown. So what does the difference in color between all these grubs mean? Is any one type better, more nutritious, or healthier than another? Why would there be any difference in the first place if we're talking about the same species of grubs - namely, black soldier fly larvae.

Without going too deep into the science and feed processing technology, and in order to avoid having you fall asleep while reading the article, a straightforward answer to all of these is that color doesn't give you sufficient info to know whether one type of grubs is better than another. A cheap and commercially available coloring can do the job and paint the grubs with whatever color is needed. This means that you shouldn't fall for marketing gimmicks such as "golden grubs are better" or "dark brown grubs are better". 

What does matter is that you check:

(1) Ingredients. What is in the box you're buying?

(2) Processing technology. How are the grubs made?

(3) Appearance. How do the grubs look like? (and do not limit this check to checking the color!)

Let's look into each one of these in greater detail:

(1) Ingredients.

In the case of our Supreme Grubs products, the sole ingredient in all of our products is 100% dried black soldier fly larvae. We do not add any colors, fillers, additives or preservatives to our larvae. The only downside of this is that the grubs won't last you for years, and you should try to use them up by the expiry date printed on the box, all the while ensuring they're stored in a dry and cool place.

(2) Processing technology.

Another crucial aspect is ensuring that the processing technology isn't an overkill - meaning, that it doesn't overly burn the larvae and all the macronutrients and minerals it contains. Our larvae is microwave dried and golden colored, and is processed within a few seconds in a large oven, ensuring the nutrients, natural goodness and bioavailability of a larvae are preserved. 

Airdried black soldier fly larvae tends to be a bit darker but even though the exposure to heat for airdried larvae is longer, the heat is of much lower temperature. This ensures that even in case of airdried black soldier fly larvae, nutrients are preserved and none of the natural goodness of a larvae is lost. 

Airdried larvae, although we currently are not selling it, is not an inferior or a superior product. It's just that the larvae is made using a different processing technology but the nutrients are all preserved.

(3) Appearance.

There are a couple of things to look at.

Firstly, a good larvae will not be crushed but whole. Of course, a few crushed pieces here and there are normal because of the handling and transportation, but the majority of larvae should be whole.

Secondly, while bigger is not always better, if larvae is both darker and smaller, it could be that it was collected during the pupae or pre-pupae stage which is means that it has grown out of the larvae stage, during which it is the most nutritious. Again, there could be a few darker and smaller grubs here and there but majority should still be big and plump, which would show that it was collected and processed in the larvae stage.

Conclusion

Next time you are buying grubs, as we mentioned, looking at the color won't tell you much about quality. You should try to understand how the grubs were processed, using which technology, and also give it a closer look to better understand if there could've been a risk of any nutrients being lost during processing, or if the grubs were collected and processed too late and after the larvae stage. While we didn't cover 50 shades of black soldier fly larvae colors, hope that the article made you better equipped with the knowledge needed to choose the best grubs for you!

Insects can be an important source of food for many living animals, and humans as well. If this sounds too crazy of an idea it is likely because you don’t see yourself craving for a dinner of roasted grubs with blueberry balsamic glaze. 

This is likely because we as humans start by trying to imagine things from our own perspective. Grubs have always been and are still considered to be an important dietary source of protein and calories for many species. Not all grubs are the same however - just like a cow, a horse and a cat don't have too much in common, we shouldn't equate all grubs - whether it be black soldier fly grubs, beetle grubs - also known as mealworms, house fly grubs or others.

Supreme Grubs black soldier fly larvae can be fed to various species, including birds, chickens, ducks but also dogs, cats and other farmed animals such as fish and pigs. 

Chickens

Not only are Supreme Grubs (Black Soldier Fly) considered to be good for your chickens, but they are also one of the most nutrient-rich bugs around. The main benefits are the high amount of protein, very high calcium and richness in methionine and leucine amino acids, all of which are great for laying, molting hens or hens in need of an immune boosting treat.  

Ducks 

Ducks are omnivores who naturally love to consume insects. Many of the benefits of feeding black soldier flies to your ducks are similar to the benefits of feeding the larvae to your chickens. A fun fact is that the usually shy ducks will come running for black soldier flies once they realize they are being “served”.

Birds

Birds are known to have a very fast metabolism. As such they are in constant need of energy, and along with the carbohydrates in the form of fruits, grains and berries, they are known to enjoy insect larvae. While protein is an essential, the good amount of fats also provide the birds with the energy they need.

Dogs

Yup, your pet dog can also consume Supreme Grubs! The main benefit of black soldier flies in your dog’s diet is their richness in protein and the fact that they contain beneficial omega 6 & 9 fatty acids. Include grubs in the diet gradually and mix with other feed until you get to about 20% of dried larvae to 80% of regular feed by weight.

Cats

Interestingly, unlike dogs, cats do naturally eat insects, though they are not a main source of nutrition. The benefit of introducing black soldier fly in cat’s nutrition lies mainly in the high protein content of black soldier fly larvae. The percentage inclusion of grubs in your cat’s feed will be slightly lower than that suggested for dogs, which is less than 20% compared to the rest of the feed.

Pigs

Supreme Grubs are a great feed for your pigs. Being ferocious eaters, they grow very fast. The typical carbohydrate heavy feed can be supplemented with our grubs and can help the pigs put on more muscle and stay healthier. If you are moving from a soya based feed, the benefits will be in the better and complete amino acid profile of black soldier fly protein. 

Fish

One of the greatest mysteries of this world is why we as humans thought that raising fish to be fed fish which is then fed to humans is a good idea. It is a waste of our resources, damaging to the environment and ecosystems. Instead, opting for, if not full replacement, then at least an inclusion of black soldier flies in the diet of both tropical and farmed fish, can prove to be beneficial for the environment. It can also help to ensure your grandchildren are able to enjoy fish on the plate just like you did (because if we continue killing fish to feed the fish, we may eradicate life from our oceans very soon).

Reptiles

Various reptiles, from bearded dragons, to geckos and chameleons are all known for their appetite for grubs, which they can eat live or dried. The benefits of grubs for reptiles are that they promote growth and can be a nutritional staple due to protein and much needed calcium content.

Amphibians

Black soldier flies are loved by many different amphibians. While live grubs would be preferred, dried grubs may be used as well. Keep in mind however that grubs are not a feed replacement for your pet but a supplement to the regular feed. 

For any of the pets or farmed animals, if you want to introduce grubs to their feed, start off by adding a small portion of grubs to their diet. You can then eventually substitute their feed or supplement their diet with Supreme Grubs, depending on the species. 

Conclusion

Grubs, and in particular Supreme Grubs dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) are a perfect treat or feed for many pets and farmed animals. And while it will take some time for grubs to become a mainstream food in human diets, we are already witnessing their inclusion in the diets of other species such as chickens, ducks, birds, pigs, fish, dogs, cats and many more!