Butterworms, hornworms, and silkworms oh my.....

[prickly]

"At around 43 percent Calcium, butterworms have more than twice the Calcium content of almost all other feeder insects - on par with the Phoenix Worm"

i copied this from premiumcricket's website- where they sell 25 butterworms for $6.00

I wonder if they are merely "on par with the Pheonix Worm" why they cost 4x more?
I know they are larger, but are they significantly larger?
Which brings me to the question about the size of your feeder insect:
isn't the feeder suppossed to be no bigger than the space b/n your beardies eyes?

What about soft bodied worms like Butters, Hornworms, or Silkworms?
is it ok b/c they have no exoskeleton, or chitton, or whatever?

Anyone have experience feeding BW's or hornworms?
I have an order pending delivery monday for crix, supers, Pheonix worms and I was thinking about adding some BW's to the list,
any ideas or opinions appreciated-
thanks

 

[Lena]

For worms, the "no bigger than the space between the eyes" law mainly applies to width. Of course, within reason. :lol:

Butterworms are usually considerably larger than phoenix worms. You know, I'd like to hear about butterworms as feeders.. I read somewhere that they have an enzyme in their bodies that releases when they die.. And it can actually corrode plastic! I just kind of steered clear of them after hearing that.

And yes, soft bodied worms have considerably less chitin than superworms, mealworms, and crickets. Silkworms are extremely nutritious and beneficial, as they contain a special enzyme that improves calcium absorption, reduce pain and inflammation, and clears arterial plaque!

 

[acgordon]

I have been wondering those same things! Are butterworms like candy though?

 

[spurlee01]

Okay, here's what I know:
Butterworms are fatty, so they are only to be used as a treat (a couple a day). My girl can also not digest more than a couple. I find whole butters in her poop ocassionally if I feed her more than a couple. They are refrigerator worms and can last 3 months in the fridge. I've never heard about the enzyme that can corrode plastic, but that doesn't mean its not true.
My beardie and my boyfriend's go INSANE over hornworms. Sometimes to the point of refusing to eat crickets. A full grown hornworm is equivalent to like 30 something crickets I think. These things get HUGE fast, 3-4 inches in a couple of days. Store the cups so the food is at the top and they grow faster. My beardies at 18" and 19" can handle any size hornworm just fine. I freak out about feeding the 4" long worms, but they always do absolutely fine with them. These are also a treat. They are pretty expensive, like $11 for 15 and shipping is ridiculous so our beardies don't get them too often.
I've never fed silks.

 

[prickly]

thanks everyone

Spurlee01-
How big were the butterworms compared to hornworms?
I've read HW's can get 10-15grms and 4"-
are butters this big?

 

[spurlee01]

No, I don't think my butters were any bigger than 1" all stretched out. They are chubby little guys though.