At a conference, the speaker’s grand finale was sautéing mealworms (insect larvae) in butter and serving them to the audience. They were crunchy (like popcorn hulls) because their exoskeletons contain the polysaccharide 1.linoleic acid2.cellulose3.chitin4.collagen5. glycogen

The exoskeleton of meal worm is made up of chitin.The amount of chitin is 13% in the body of larva of meal worm.

Explanation:

The larval form of darkling beetle is called meal worm which are edible in Southeast Asia.Baked and fried meal worm is a edible healthy food source.

Meal worm is rich in mineral and nutrient.100 gm of raw meal worm provides 206 calories,14-25 gm of protein and other minerals like potassium,sodium,zinc,selenium,copper,iron etc

More over it contain essential vitamin.

They are used as a food for dog,fish,reptiles,birds and are also used in fishing bait.

The juvenile hormone is applied in meal worm so that they will remain in the larval form and don't undergo adult stage.