Comparison of common feeders

[kingofnobbys]

How do I gutload silkworms to boost their nutritional values (esp Ca) ?......, simple, feed them fresh mulberry leaves or chow , these have a Ca = 10, see https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.4081/ijas.2013.e36

The chemical composition of mulberry leaves is comparable with those of leguminous forages and trees such as lucerne and leucaena (Smith, 1994 SmithO.B. 1994. Using fodder from trees and shrubs to feed livestock in the tropics. Better Farming Series N. 42. FAO Publ., Roma, Italy.[Google Scholar]; FAO, 1998 FAO, 1998. Tropical feeds, 8th ed. FAO Publ., Roma, Italy.[Google Scholar]), especially the protein content. The ratio of Ca in mulberry leaves was found to be 10:1,

see table 2

 

[kingofnobbys]

10 x large white (2nd instar) BSFL = 0.9g ==> each large white BSFL weighs about 0.09g.

added :
BSFL (get the 2nd instar versions in the order, the 3rd instar are good too) ,don't need to dust these) , the flies are a great feeder too.

Blowflies produce smaller lavae, but fatter faster flies.
gents/maggots

pupae & flies

 

[kingofnobbys]

added : a study on breeding BSLF
https://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/238837.pdf