Black Fly Larvae vs Phoenix Worms?

[Wowbango]

So trying to conduct as much research as I can on Nigel's food. Right now he's being fed Crickets, Dubias and a few mealworms here and there(until my super worms arrive, then will phase them out). But I'm curious about Phoenix worms. Everyone seems to talk to them bout the high calcium they provide but everywhere I look I see "black fly Larvae" as a substitute for them. Are they the same thing? Thanks!

 

[SSimsswiSS]

black "soldier" fly larvae and phoenix worms are the same.

 

[Blink]

Black soldier fly larvae is the real name. PhoenixWorms is a company "brand". Yes, it is the same.

 

[Wowbango]

As always, everyone on here is SO HELPFUL! And these are a good daily feeder, correct?

 

[ridgebax1]

You should not make soft bodied insects a staple part of the diet. The majority of the feedings should be crix/dubias, interspersed with various worms. I feed dubias and crix (mostly dubias thank goodness CJ will eat those). Then I rotate silks, horns, phoenix and butters on the days I do not give the hard body bugs. Phoenix worms, reptiworms, caliworms are all brand names for hermetia illucens or Black Soldier Fly Larvae. They are very high in calcium and are an excellent addition to a cham's diet These bugs are very popular with folks who like to compost as they are eating machines! I order medium worms and then fatten them up with fruit. I have a critter keeper that I dump them into then give them organic kitchen scraps and fruit that is overripe. They grow to be about an inch long and 1/4 inch across. They are easy to separate. I sift out most of the dirt then dump them into warmish water. They float to the top where I scoop them out onto a paper towel then into the container. If you don't dry them off they can escape up the sides of the container! Then I let them alone for several days before feeding them off. If they happen to turn into adults you can feed them to the cham as well but you can't gut load them. They have no mouth parts. Their only purpose in life is to breed.