| Quick Answer Can jumping spiders eat mealworms? Yes, jumping spiders can eat mealworms, but mealworms should be used as an occasional treat rather than a staple food. Mealworms are high in fat and phosphorus but low in calcium, making them nutritionally imbalanced for regular feeding. Limit mealworms to once or twice a month at most, and never use them as the primary diet. Small, recently-molted mealworms (white, soft “white worms”) are easier to digest than hardened mealworms. |
Mealworms are one of the most widely available feeder insects — sold in nearly every pet store, easy to maintain at home, and enthusiastically accepted by many jumping spiders. So why aren’t they the go-to jumping spider food? The answer is nutritional composition.
This article explains the role mealworms can play in a jumping spider diet, the specific nutritional limitations that make them a poor staple food, how to use them safely and beneficially, and which alternatives provide better everyday nutrition.
Nutritional Profile of Mealworms
Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor larvae) have a nutritional profile that makes them appealing as a treat but problematic as a staple:
Protein: approximately 20% (lower than dubia roaches at 36%)
Fat: approximately 13% (significantly higher than most other feeders)
Calcium: very low — calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is highly unfavorable
Chitin: high chitin exoskeleton content that can be difficult to digest, especially in smaller spiders
The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is the key issue. Insects naturally have more phosphorus than calcium, but mealworms are particularly imbalanced in this regard. Chronic feeding of high-phosphorus, low-calcium prey without supplementation can contribute to metabolic bone issues in reptiles; the evidence for spiders is less studied but the nutritional imbalance concern remains valid.
When Mealworms Are Appropriate
As an Occasional Treat (Max 1–2x per month)
Used sparingly, mealworms add dietary variety and provide a high-calorie supplement that can be beneficial in specific circumstances:
Post-molt recovery: the high fat content of mealworms makes them useful for rebuilding energy stores after a molt (starting 7+ days post-molt when exoskeleton is fully hardened)
Winter slowdown: a higher-calorie treat can support a spider that has naturally reduced activity and appetite during cooler months
Variety provision: adding one mealworm to a rotation of crickets, roaches, and flies increases dietary breadth
The White (Pre-Molt) Mealworm Advantage
Mealworms that have recently molted have a soft, white exoskeleton for a period before it hardens. These “white mealworms” are significantly easier to digest, have lower chitin content, and are a better choice than hardened dark-colored mealworms. Some specialty feeder suppliers sell white mealworms specifically; otherwise, any mealworm container will have some white individuals mixed in.
Mealworm Alternatives: Better Everyday Feeders
Dubia Roaches — Better in Every Nutritional Category
Dubia roaches outperform mealworms on protein (36% vs 20%), calcium ratio, digestibility (soft exoskeleton), and fat content (lower). They’re also easier to keep — no fly risk, quiet, and do not bite molting spiders.
Crickets — The Classic Staple
Better calcium-to-phosphorus ratio than mealworms, widely available, highly palatable. Main downsides (bite risk, escapability) are managed by removing uneaten prey within 24 hours.
Bluebottle Flies — Premium Option
High palatability, good nutrition, no bite risk. Purchased as pupae and hatched on demand. Excellent rotation addition alongside staple prey.
Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)
One of the highest calcium-containing feeder insects available — far better calcium-to-phosphorus ratio than mealworms. Soft-bodied, easy to digest. Growing in availability from feeder suppliers.
Recommended: Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm Live Mealworms (2,000 Count) — Live mealworms arrive active and can be used as an occasional treat. Gut-load them 24 hours before feeding for best nutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can jumping spiders eat dried mealworms?
Live mealworms are strongly preferred. Dried mealworms have little movement to trigger the predatory response, may not be fresh, and have reduced nutritional value compared to live. If using dried mealworms, animate them with feeding tongs to simulate movement.
How many mealworms can I feed my jumping spider?
Limit mealworm feeding to one small mealworm per feeding session, no more than once or twice per month. Mealworms as more than 5–10% of the diet by frequency are likely to cause nutritional imbalance over time.
Can jumping spider spiderlings eat mealworms?
No — mealworms are too large and too hard for spiderlings. The chitin content and size of even small mealworms makes them inappropriate for spiders in instars 1–5. Stick to fruit flies and small crickets/roaches for young spiders.
| About the Author Itsy Bitsy Pets Editorial Team The ItsyBitsyPets.com team combines hands-on keeping experience with peer-reviewed arachnology research to produce accurate, practical care guides. We update our content when new scientific evidence or community findings warrant revision. Site: itsybitsypets.com | Twitter: @ibp2025 |
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