Silkworm journey

Not uncommon with feeders. I have dubias that are now over a year old. Some are adults capable of breeding, yet there are a few that—unless the adults have bred at room temp (low 70s)—are the same size as they were a year ago.


Insect version of failure to thrive? Generally, in nature, the lower on the food chain and/or the more fecund a species, the more likely offspring will not reach maturity. And I would think at that stage they're likely pretty fragile anyway. BICBW
Good point 👍🏻 Thanks for the clarification 👌🏻
 
Holy chubby 😱😱

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Wow! all these wonderful pics and stories. Great success too! Thanks for sharing.
Maybe I have to much time on my hands.. :unsure:
Well, I decided to try some different foods and will place about 20 babies in the mixes.

1. Mulberry mix with carrots and zucchini
2. Mulberry mix with carrots only
3. Mulberry mix with zucchini only
4. Mulberry mix only ( I will keep a group in this alone).
I will add some mango once they get a little bigger.

Crossing fingers they will all still be alive in the A.M.

Note: I boiled all the veggies and mulberry mix separate, then added and smashed mixes together.
 

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Wow! all these wonderful pics and stories. Great success too! Thanks for sharing.
Maybe I have to much time on my hands.. :unsure:
Well, I decided to try some different foods and will place about 20 babies in the mixes.

1. Mulberry mix with carrots and zucchini
2. Mulberry mix with carrots only
3. Mulberry mix with zucchini only
4. Mulberry mix only ( I will keep a group in this alone).
I will add some mango once they get a little bigger.

Crossing fingers they will all still be alive in the A.M.

Note: I boiled all the veggies and mulberry mix separate, then added and smashed mixes together.
Great experiment, excited to read the outcome.

I’ve have just added red pepper and cabbage to the vegetable list.
 
Great experiment, excited to read the outcome.

I’ve have just added red pepper and cabbage to the vegetable list.
In order to fully test the theory you will have to label the cocoons and then see if the resultant moths can reproduce. It may be that they can "survive" on other foods but not live to reproduce. Possibly something due to the protein percentage they require in order to spin.
 
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