Deadly Lightning Bugs

[koiboydavid]

Unfortunately, one of my customers just emailed me to let me know that their citrus dragon that they had purchased from me had died during the night. They had caught and fed some lightning bugs to this dragon before they went to bed. Most on this forum knows this but if you dont, lightning bugs are deadly toxic. Just one can kill a dragon. Take extreme care this time of the year if you allow your dragons outdoors or have an outdoor enclosure. Hope this helps someone out there not have to go through the heartbreak of losing their beloved dragon.

 

[vickson420]

Thank you for sending that message.This is the time of year where many lose their beardies because of fireflies(lightining bugs).The only thing I would like to add is that stink bugs are also harmful to your beardies as well.While not as lethal they still hold great risk to your animal.The best policy is to NEVER let your beardie eat wild caught insects as you can never be sure if they are safe for consumption.Even a wild caught cricket can cause damage as they may have eaten or be carrying insecticide or other harmful material.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

This is definitely a subject not all beardie owners know about, unfortunately!

Just wanted to "BUMP" this thread for people to see.

 

[Jiffy]

I used to love lightning bugs when I was little, and now I freak out when I see one near my house.

SO BUMP!!

 

[Claudiusx]

Yeah lightning bugs are really bad. But I heard june bugs (which come out at this time of year obviously) are a good treat for your beardies, is this true?

 

[Grixxly15]

Yeah lightning bugs are really bad. But I heard june bugs (which come out at this time of year obviously) are a good treat for your beardies, is this true?

Man you would need some armor penetration bullets to chomp down on a june bug. They shells are to hard. Don't risk it brah.

 

[BDMom22]

Awwww that is so sad
I never feed my Beardies outside bugs.
One time while outside drake did eat a bumble bee though. I was soooooooooo scared I called the vet and local pet stores and everyone said he should be fine, just make sure he is acting the same and such. PHEW.. i'm so glad it didnt hurt him

 

[Claudiusx]

I would freak out if one of my beardies ate a wasp or a bee, the thought of the bee stinging the inside of its mouth before it died would make me so worried

 

[VEGASLIZARD]

How horrible. Thanks for the info though. We don't have any of those out here in the desert, but I wouldn't let my baby eat anything that didn't come from a shipping container. It just doesn't seem safe. If you don't know where they've been how can you assume that they're healthy?

 

[ashesc212]

Awwww that is so sad
I never feed my Beardies outside bugs.
One time while outside drake did eat a bumble bee though. I was soooooooooo scared I called the vet and local pet stores and everyone said he should be fine, just make sure he is acting the same and such. PHEW.. i'm so glad it didnt hurt him

My beardie just ate a bee. I'm glad to hear that yours was fine because I am really worried about this.

Also - now I have to be worried inside too. The lightning bugs keep coming in my house!!!!

what is a stink bug?

 

[GraphiK]

Awwww that is so sad
I never feed my Beardies outside bugs.
One time while outside drake did eat a bumble bee though. I was soooooooooo scared I called the vet and local pet stores and everyone said he should be fine, just make sure he is acting the same and such. PHEW.. i'm so glad it didnt hurt him

My beardie just ate a bee. I'm glad to hear that yours was fine because I am really worried about this.

Also - now I have to be worried inside too. The lightning bugs keep coming in my house!!!!

what is a stink bug?

I know how you feel ashes, I live in pa so there are lightning bugs EVERYWHERE! If you have a screentop lid for your beardies cage you really have little to worry about, just make sure the screen is on the cage snugly and you monitor you dragon closely anytime it's out of the cage (Which should be done anyways! )

Click here to see some pictures of stink bugs, I'm sure you'll recognize them when you see them.