Mealworm larvae from Tenebrio molitor are the most studied insect for food and feed applications, with welfare evidence slightly more advanced than for other farmed insects and EU Novel Food approval creating new scaling questions.
Mealworm welfare is marginally better studied than that of other farmed insects. They show avoidance learning, stress responses measured by altered neurochemistry, and cannibalistic behaviour when crowded that may indicate conflict-related welfare costs. The precautionary principle applies to any high-volume animal farming where sentience is uncertain. Current farming systems provide no enrichment, no disease monitoring beyond economic impact, and no formal welfare standards. If mealworms have any welfare-relevant experience, the scale of production (potentially trillions) makes them a significant moral consideration.