so after having hornworms cocoons for over a month the first one finally hatched and i was wondering are they worth breeding? how long is the breeding process? and how easy is it?
Honestly, from the research I have done, it isn't too bad if you don't mind getting messy. The hawkmoths are real messy and real big. They only live for a few months, but at the same time you don't want to have more than probably 4 at one time since they are so big. They lay thousands of eggs at one time, and it might be overwhelming for beginners. Again, I don't know a whole lot about the subject but I did a little research on it yesterday. The moths feed out of a hummingbird feeder and they fling excrement and dirt outside of their cage.
There is a thread on here telling all about how to breed them, and I will look for that tomorrow unless someone locates that thread before me. It's got pictures and instructions and basically the place where I got most of my information. I think it would be a crucial source in beginning the breeding of tomato or tobacco hornworms.
I forget how long the eggs take to hatch, but I want to say a few weeks to a month or two. I totally forgot, so don't quote me on that. Hopefully that helped just a little bit. I will look for that hornworm breeding thread ASAP. If you search 'tobacco hawkmoth care' the thread might show up. Good luck.
Also keep in mind you need a tomato plant near by, or the hawkmoths will not lay eggs. There is still some debate on if tomato worms do become toxic eating actual domesticated tomato plants... Nobody want to do the experiment to find out.
It's probably worth it if you enjoy that kind of stuff. I messed with them, but didn't realize they hatched from their cocoon until I found one half dead on the floor....I thought all the cocoons were dead and forgot about them. Someday I may mess with them again.
I saw a video, probably on youtube on how to find the eggs so you can remove them from tomato plants. That might be an easier solution... just plant a tomato plant or two every year and harvest the eggs. Had to look it up but the eggs cant be refrigerated so that would only give you worms for a short period of time each year.