Hornworms

[BksBeardie]

Anyone know how much a hornworm weighs in grams? I am trying to figure out how many crickets equal one hornworm. Also, how easy is it to make a hornworm colony? Is there a way to make hornworm food? Where is the best place to buy them? What supplies do you need for hornworms? Just curious and hoping to find some answers!

 

[CooperDragon]

They average around 10g. They are full of fluid so it's best to limit feeding to one or two at a time. They are fairly easy to care for using pre-made chow and ladder cups. There is a good FAQ available at Great Lakes Hornworm http://www.greatlakeshornworm.com/faq

 

[mommacude]

They are easy to care for, and my beardie loves them, but making a colony isn't really like making, say, a dubia colony. If you want them to breed and lay eggs you are going to have to have quite a large setup, since you'll need to let them eclose under the ground, then emerge, fly around and lay eggs. I have 3 chrysalis now that my dragon didn't eat. I can't see them well enough to know if they're male, female. I'm not sure what I'll do once they emerge. I don't want to release them into the wild, and I only have a butterfly net that's pretty small which I used to raise black swallowtails once for fun. If you want them I could send them to you. They're in some coconut "stuff" that I had bought to go into my dragon's viv before I decided on tile.

 

[BksBeardie]

Thanks for the help! Zirilan is still 10 weeks old, it was more of an idea that I randomly thought of, as I have seem hornworms can be used as staples. I don't know where I would put the chrysalis, and I don't know where to put the eggs! I wouldn't release them into the wild, they might find tomato plants, and I have know clue where they live! 10 grams doesn't sound like such, but that is how much they weigh! :lol: :lol: I don't want to spend a ton of money on hornworm food, I was hoping they would eat veggies, lol.

 

[mommacude]

Thanks for the help! Zirilan is still 10 weeks old, it was more of an idea that I randomly thought of, as I have seem hornworms can be used as staples. I don't know where I would put the chrysalis, and I don't know where to put the eggs! I wouldn't release them into the wild, they might find tomato plants, and I have know clue where they live! 10 grams doesn't sound like such, but that is how much they weigh! :lol: :lol: I don't want to spend a ton of money on hornworm food, I was hoping they would eat veggies, lol.

When I buy hornworms I buy them in a cup that includes their food. My understanding is they shouldn't be their staple. You can use silkworms for a staple but if you don't have access to mulberry leaves that can get pricy too.

The Dubia are a great choice. Easy and cheap once it's set up. I wish my dragon would eat em again. I'm going to try tomorrow to see if he will show interest again.

 

[BksBeardie]

Thanks for the help! Zirilan is still 10 weeks old, it was more of an idea that I randomly thought of, as I have seem hornworms can be used as staples. I don't know where I would put the chrysalis, and I don't know where to put the eggs! I wouldn't release them into the wild, they might find tomato plants, and I have know clue where they live! 10 grams doesn't sound like such, but that is how much they weigh! :lol: :lol: I don't want to spend a ton of money on hornworm food, I was hoping they would eat veggies, lol.

When I buy hornworms I buy them in a cup that includes their food. My understanding is they shouldn't be their staple. You can use silkworms for a staple but if you don't have access to mulberry leaves that can get pricy too.

The Dubia are a great choice. Easy and cheap once it's set up. I wish my dragon would eat em again. I'm going to try tomorrow to see if he will show interest again.

I hope he sees interest! My baby loves his roaches, and would prefer them to crickets! Silkworms are good, but I don't thing with all that is in my house that getting something extremely high in calcium is the best thing. I am hoping to get a dubia colony someday, but that day may have to wait for some time :lol: :roll: :wink: