Hornworms into moths?

[waitwill]

Bought a container of hornworms a few weeks ago - I think it's a pretty standard container from Mulberry farms. They told us they grow fast, they weren't kidding! Most are too big for our panther already. Can we leave them in that container to pupate? Will the moths be too big for the panther if we manage to raise them?

 

[naich]

if the panthrs full grown then the moths can be fed...but they will pupate over time...i dont personally know the process....use the search button in the tool box to locate a thread called hornworm breeding i think?

any help guys.

 

[Syn]

They tend to shrink a little before turning into moths. Perhaps they will shrink enough to feed to your panther.

 

[FroggtheCham]

I had the same problem? with my worms!! I found a site on-line to pupate them. The kids think it's cool to make moths, and I'll see how large they are!! The easiest and less messy is to use a container, put a few paper towel rolls on the bottom, cut them if you need to, then put a few damp paper towels on the top. Add worm and wait. This is supposedly the preferred method of breeders, and it worked for me! It took about a day for the worm to settle, and now we have a nice chrysalis. It takes approx 17 days to hatch. Good luck.

 

[ToniandGizmo]

Here's a pick of one of the moths that just came out of it's pupae casing. It's wings are still folded in (as it had just emerged). There's a pencil next to it so you can see how big it's body is.

They are pretty good sized so I'd save them for the large adult chams. This little fella was actually one of the hornworms I gave to my neighbors' little boy (he loves bugs), so it was definately not on the menu.

 

[ToniandGizmo]

Isn't it chrysalis for butterflys and pupae for moths? I'm really not sure.

 

[Syn]

By the way.. if your chameleon can not handle the moths.. DO NOT RELEASE THEM! They are pests. Destroy them if you must, or keep them as pets.. LOL!

 

[ToniandGizmo]

By the way.. if your chameleon can not handle the moths.. DO NOT RELEASE THEM! They are pests. Destroy them if you must, or keep them as pets.. LOL!

Not to worry, there was no way little Eli was going to part with his pet.

 

[Syn]

Wasn't talking to you, ehehe. Was talking to Waitwill. Cute that he had a pet.

 

[FroggtheCham]

Isn't it chrysalis for butterflys and pupae for moths? I'm really not sure.

Sorry. Looked it up. Chrysalis for butterfly cocoon for moth. A cocoon is a chrysalis with a hard outer coating.

 

[FroggtheCham]

By the way.. if your chameleon can not handle the moths.. DO NOT RELEASE THEM! They are pests. Destroy them if you must, or keep them as pets.. LOL!

Yeah, and after seeing the pic, won't be feeding the moths that I have either. The sphinx moth is not indigenous to our area, as far as I know, so you know how this will end. Unless someone is looking for pets or feeders

 

[Syn]

I thought they were calling hummingbird moths?

Anywho, perhaps you could advertise them on Craigslist. Some people buy them.

 

[FroggtheCham]

I thought they were calling hummingbird moths?

Anywho, perhaps you could advertise them on Craigslist. Some people buy them.

Hummingbird moth is another name. They have like three names. I guess someone thought that it would be cute.. I'll try craig's list.

 

[waitwill]

Please pardon my senior moment - we have a carpet cham, not a panther. Some of these hornworms look large enough to eat him! Thanks for the info, we'll give the advice a shot.