Hornworms

Kclarke02

Kclarke02

Avid Member
I received a batch of hornworms today and as expected, several are about full grown and way too big for my chameleon. She did get 2 smaller ones and was very happy about it(Chloe loves hornworms) This brings me to my 2nd attempt at pupating these boogers. I considered setting the large ones free but figured my apartment management wouldn't appreciate that so, after more research, I'm ready to try again. I got a cocoon last time but it died(I'm assuming because I found an empty cocoon with no moth or visible remains). I'm excited to see what happens this time (y)
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If the cocoon was empty, then it was successful!!!

They are super simple. I keep them pupating year round for my melleri. Just wait until you can see the movement of their pulse along the dorsal area. Once I see that, I put them in a bowl of soil. They will immediately begin digging down. I just take the bowls and set them in a reptarium so when they emerge, they are caged and easily caught. Simple simple. Good luck!
 
I read a blog that said use Eco soil and soft coconut fiber came up on my search. I already have that, but is this something different? I have a bin ready for when they turn dull and I can see the dorsal spine pulse. I've also read where some use damp paper towels, which I tried first go around.
 
Honestly...anything works as long as it is a substrate that they can easily maneuver through and can hold a bit of moisture. Eco Earth is fine.
 
jpowell86 said:
If the cocoon was empty, then it was successful!!!

They are super simple. I keep them pupating year round for my melleri. Just wait until you can see the movement of their pulse along the dorsal area. Once I see that, I put them in a bowl of soil. They will immediately begin digging down. I just take the bowls and set them in a reptarium so when they emerge, they are caged and easily caught. Simple simple. Good luck!
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Thank you so much. I will follow your advice to the T as you're a skilled one! How is your house of precious babies going?? :love:
 
I think I'm still on the high of having a lycaendae caterpillar turn to a butterfly. (This info provided by Spyro88) he/she was right on about the type of worm I had. I've dealt with hornworms since I was a kid but I'm so ready to pupate them.
 
@jpowell86 , I don't think it's a big deal, but is it normal for the bigger hornworms to nibble on others? They nibble on my finger when I hold them, no biggie. But is this normal or does it mean they need more food?
 
I've also read they won't eat anything but hornworm food, although my brother and I used to find them all over a huneysuckle bush when we were kids....?
 
Kclarke02 said:
I've also read they won't eat anything but hornworm food, although my brother and I used to find them all over a huneysuckle bush when we were kids....?
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I had a cup of them back in june and 3 grew to large to feed off so I kept them and when they ran how of hornworm chow I feed them dandelion and other greens from outside. It turned their poop from brown to black and made it smell a little but they seem to like it.
 
FYI: they love strawberry leaves. I'm STILL waiting for my hornworm chow and threw some in there and viola! They've devoured them.
 
Nursemaia said:
I fed my panther a big hornworm yesterday and it was so juicy I watched it drip from the sides of his mouth he also literally squeezed the poop out of it as he ate it head first
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Lol! I bet he was licking his chops afterwards! Too funny. Chloe has had a couple bigger ones with no problem. One was literally hanging onto a branch for dear life, half in her mouth half out, and she just ripped it right off and gobbled it up. She looked very proud of herself.
 
Cam, my veiled, had a hornworm fall on her head and she wouldn't let me pick it off of her. She just rubbed her head on a branch and rubbed the hornworm right into her mouth. I love watching them eat. All 3 of mine have completely different personalities and I can't wait until those baby melleri are ready to go. I'm dying to get mine.
 
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