Screening equipment plays an important role in mealworm screening operations. Coreal Machinery has compiled some information for your reference. The following is a related introduction:
The role of screening equipment in mealworm breeding:
1. Separation of different insect stages:
In the process of mealworm breeding, eggs, larvae, pupae and adults often need to be raised and managed separately.
Screening equipment can effectively separate mealworms of different insect stages according to the differences in the size and shape of the insect body.
2. Screening of larvae of different sizes:
During the growth of mealworm larvae, individual sizes will vary. Through screening equipment, larvae of different sizes can be screened and graded.
This is conducive to grouping and breeding according to the size of the larvae, ensuring that the growth and development of mealworms in the same group are relatively uniform, facilitating the management and control of breeding conditions, and improving breeding efficiency and the quality of mealworms.
3. Removal of impurities:
During the mealworm breeding process, some impurities such as leftover bait and insect feces may be mixed into the breeding matrix. Screening equipment can separate these impurities from mealworms, keep the breeding environment clean and hygienic, reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests, and provide a good growth environment for mealworms.
Common screening equipment and features:
Working principle: The screen surface is vibrated by two symmetrical horizontal vibrating motors. Mealworms and impurities move on the screen surface under the action of vibration and are separated according to the size of the screen holes.
Features: High screening efficiency, continuous operation, and large processing capacity. The requirements of different mealworm screening operations can be met by adjusting parameters such as vibration frequency, amplitude, and screen surface inclination.
Working principle: The screen body is circular, and the vertical vibrating motor generates an exciting force acting on the screen surface. Particles and insect bodies smaller than the screen holes pass through the screen and fall to the collection device below, while mealworms larger than the screen holes remain on the screen surface and are discharged from the discharge port.
Features: Simple structure, stable operation, and less damage to mealworms. Suitable for small-scale mealworm breeding and screening operations.
Regular maintenance and cleaning: During the use of screening equipment, the screen is prone to clogging and needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure the screening effect. At the same time, the transmission parts and vibration parts of the equipment should be inspected and maintained, and worn parts should be replaced in time to ensure the normal operation of the equipment.
The specifications of mealworms at different growth stages are different. The following is a reference for the sieve apertures suitable for mealworms of different specifications:
1-2 instar larvae:
Mealworms are small in size, about 2-5 mm in length, and are suitable for sieves with an aperture of 0.5-1 mm. Such sieves can effectively separate the larvae and prevent them from leaking out of the sieve holes, while separating impurities such as eggs from the larvae.
3-4 instar larvae:
At this time, the larvae are about 5-10 mm long, and a sieve with an aperture of 1-1.5 mm can be selected.
This aperture allows smaller impurities to pass through and retains the larvae, making it easier to screen and separate the larvae.
5-6 instar larvae:
The larvae are about 10-20 mm long, and are suitable for sieves with an aperture of 1.5-2 mm.
This screen can separate the insect body from larger impurities, insect feces, etc., ensuring the cleanliness of the larvae's growth environment.
7-8 instar larvae and pupae:
The 7-8 instar larvae can reach 20-30 mm in length, and the size of the pupae is similar to that of larger larvae.
For mealworms at this stage, a screen with a pore size of 2-3 mm is generally used. This can separate the larvae or pupae from other materials, making it easier to collect and manage.
Adults:
Adults are about 15-20 mm long, but they are wider and have wings.
A screen with a pore size of 3-5 mm is usually used to separate adults from impurities such as insect feces and leftover feed, while preventing adults from being damaged too much during the screening process.
The above sieve pore size is for reference only. In actual application, it can be appropriately adjusted according to the specific species, growth conditions, and breeding environment of mealworms.
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