Caterpillars?

[Slyfox]

Has anyone ever fed there Cham caterpillars I'm from the uk and was curious if you can buy them and if they are a good idea and source of nutrient and easy to gutload? I feel i could put these in and and would be far easier for my baby to hunt?

Edit: only as part of a mixed diet though.. I would still be giving fruit, veg, worms, cirx, & locusts



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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=52.456650,-2.072607

 

[Draco1702]

Hard to say without more details on the exact species of caterpillars you have in mind. However, many caterpillars are poisonous and definitely not good feeders. Among the ones that can be used as feeders are silkworms (caterpillar of Bombyix morii), hornworms (caterpillars of Manduca sexta), waxworms (Galleria mellonella) and butterworms (Chilecomadia moorei). All of these feeders are commercially available in the US, not sure about the UK.

 

[eriksorg]

Also to add to the above...If that caterpillar has "hair" don't feed it..the hairs are an irritant, a defence against predators..

 

[Draco1702]

Also to add to the above...If that caterpillar has "hair" don't feed it..the hairs are an irritant, a defence against predators..

Excellent point!

 

[Adam Harrelson]

instead of that

use moths but you have to turn the worms to moths

 

[Slyfox]

Thanks for the response guys much appreciated


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=52.525776,-1.482586

 

[pssh]

Also to add to the above...If that caterpillar has "hair" don't feed it..the hairs are an irritant, a defence against predators..

It depends on the species and the type of "hair" you are referring to, but yes it is a good idea to avoid caterpillars with "hair."