Mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, pupa. Pupa is the second stage of the development just before the adult insect. Mealworms are considered pests, because their larvae feed on stored grains. They are edible for humans, and are commonly consumed in a practice known as entomophagy. Mealworms have been consumed in many Asian countries, particularly in Southeast Asia. They are commonly found in food markets and sold as street food alongside other edible insects. In 2015, it was discovered that mealworms are capable of degrading polystyrene into usable organic matter. Portugal