BSF Larvae from grubco, ALL BLACK!

[jerichosmom]

We normally order our crickets from grubco and don't really have any problems with those. We wanted to switch to worms as our staple feeder, so we ordered some BSFL from grubco. They arrived and almost every single one is black and not moving. We were able to find a few white ones. Do you guys feed the black ones if they're not moving? I have no interest in turning them into flies, we're trying to cut down on the insects in our house, not add flying ones! Any suggestions would be great!

 

[Soulwind]

Sounds like you got an older batch of larvae.

The black ones are fine, that's just the final stage before they pupate up
and morph to flies.

(As long as it's just the turning black stage and they aren't actually dead.
It's hard to describe the difference, but you should be able to tell from checking them.)

In fact, when they go black, they have more calcium than the white wrigglers.

However, it does mean that you've got a lot less time to feed them off. And some
dragons won't eat them since they don't wriggle like the younger larvae.

Also, it certainly wouldn't hurt to drop the vendor a note about it. They might
just ship you out a new batch. I know some vendors are very flexible and would
rather ship you some new ones for free than lose your future business.

I've never dealt with that particular vendor before though, so I don't know how
they will react.

 

[Dr. Phoenix]

Grubco does not sell Phoenix Worms or BSF larvae! The fly larvae that they sell is an entirely different species, most often sold as fish bait.

Craig Sheppard, Ph.D.
President, Insect Science Resource LLC
Emeritus, University of Georgia
http://www.phoenixworm.com

 

[denise v]

Mr. Sheppard is the BSF the only one with white on the end of their legs (white socks