Silkworm journey

[Sonny13]

Got additional proof of Mango, Bok Choy and carrots

 

[redhorse]

Thank you Sonny13- That is cool! Nice close-ups too. Didn't even need my glasses. I see a variety of sizes, did they all hatch around the same time or just growing at different rates? Thanks
The new food information will help with variety but won't expect anything so soon.
I had one straggler this a.m. so put some food down and he crawled right up.
I had no idea they were so fuzzy and one even shed. Pic 3
If I am sharing photos to often just let me know- I can do just once in the evening or every few day.

 

[Sonny13]

They definitely grow at different rates and think that´s due amount of food that´s available. If you put food directly next to them or put them on the food they stay there, keep eating and eventually growing. Others don´t directly find the food source and that´s influence the growth.

Speaking off nice close-ups.....yours are micro close-ups

 

[Firewallx]

Those are great pictures! I look forward to seeing more. I love how fuzzy they are at this instar. You will find that they make little silk "safety lines" and you may see them walk along those as well. It'll be all over the place. One time, a baby silkworm climbed up on my fingernail, I transferred it to the food. Once I withdrew my hand, I realized it went flying along with it.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

They definitely grow at different rates and think that´s due amount of food that´s available. If you put food directly next to them or put them on the food they stay there, keep eating and eventually growing.

That could apply to s as well!

 

[redhorse]

That's for sharing. I did notice that when they were full, the hairs were strait out. Kinda cute at this age, like a fuzzy puppy with big eyes.

My mother (82) wanted some size comparison pics.. Figures I would share a few here too. Looks like they are digesting FOOD.

I am so glad others have experienced this stuff. Thought I was extra weird.. Just kidding we are ALL special in our own ways.

 

[dinomom]

You named your silk moths? That is too cute! Well, silk moths are too cute! But...not so sure Star was trying very hard to get away from Yule. Boom chicka wow wow

Yeah sometimes the males die while still connected to the female. Poor thing, he won't let up even after he is DEAD!!

 

[redhorse]

The life of a male... If the praying mantis or black widow does not eat ya, the moth will wear ya out. Sucks to be male.. NOT!!! J/k

 

[Firewallx]

Yeah sometimes the males die while still connected to the female. Poor thing, he won't let up even after he is DEAD!!

OMG, so that IS common? It happened to one of my first generation moths! I did see her tapping him on the abdomen long before she died. He still kept going even though she was dead! I tried to separate them, but I'm not experienced in doing so, thus I had to let him finish....half a day or so later!
I had another male who was pushing around a dead female, I think he wanted to mate her (too late, but Kojax was not picky I guess).

 

[dinomom]

OMG, so that IS common? It happened to one of my first generation moths! I did see her tapping him on the abdomen long before she died. He still kept going even though she was dead! I tried to separate them, but I'm not experienced in doing so, thus I had to let him finish....half a day or so later!
I had another male who was pushing around a dead female, I think he wanted to mate her (too late, but Kojax was not picky I guess).

Yeah I am afraid to separate them as there could be gore...

 

[Firewallx]

Yeah I am afraid to separate them as there could be gore...

Understandable. I just couldn't get it to work. We named that male after my brother-in-law.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

My mother (82) wanted some size comparison pics..

She might have meant something like a small ruler or a penny in the pic. Being married to a quilter for several decades, I've learned that pins are like nails—all shapes & sizes.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Yeah sometimes the males die while still connected to the female. Poor thing, he won't let up even after he is DEAD!!

Yeah, but what a way to go!

 

[redhorse]

l

She might have meant something like a small ruler or a penny in the pic. Being married to a quilter for several decades, I've learned that pins are like nails—all shapes & sizes.

Ha ha That is why you see the big fat thumb in the 1st pic.. I guess, I could be Andre the giant and I am using a crochet needle or what you said.

See, I knew you were an expert..

 

[redhorse]

Nothing to eventful but they seem to enjoy me adding water (drops) to their food. It is continuing to stay moist without drowning any.

I would definitely be okay having a 30lb baby silkworm if it stayed looking the same. I think the moths are a little to fluffy.

3rd picture adding some anthropomorphizing (adding human qualities to animals. "Hey big sister how do I get back into the egg?"

​

 

[Sonny13]

Nothing to eventful but they seem to enjoy me adding water (drops) to their food. It is continuing to stay moist without drowning any.

I would definitely be okay having a 30lb baby silkworm if it stayed looking the same. I think the moths are a little to fluffy.

3rd picture adding some anthropomorphizing (adding human qualities to animals. "Hey big sister how do I get back into the egg?"

​

Bizar to see those fellas to be soo hairy as fresh born. Completely different then their next phase!

 

[redhorse]

Just a few for the evening--
1st Pic I am very confused as to what is shown. It looks like a head burrowing up (or its just a head shed).
Then there are some new babies without hair, and one that has shed (it is about twice the size).
Pic 2 is size difference after 1 shedding.
Pic 3 I think is a shedding in process.
Pic 4 Straggler/wonderer - Placed back on the food island.
Moving on to share a few pics of the afternoon. Feeding wild lizards on patio and Venus flytrap coming out of hibernation.
Have a great Sunday! I will give ya a break and start back up Monday.

 

[MissSkittles]

I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying your silky pics. Even with my mega magnifying glass, I can’t see such detail of the babies.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

See, I knew you were an expert..

Nah... I've just seen a lot of nature pics done with objects everyone knows for scale.

My Missus has kept informal track of the chameleon's growth that way. She takes pics of him in front of the egg crate trellis, and counts the ½" cells to gauge his length.

 

[Firewallx]

Just a few for the evening--
1st Pic I am very confused as to what is shown. It looks like a head burrowing up (or its just a head shed).
Then there are some new babies without hair, and one that has shed (it is about twice the size).
Pic 2 is size difference after 1 shedding.
Pic 3 I think is a shedding in process.
Pic 4 Straggler/wonderer - Placed back on the food island.
Moving on to share a few pics of the afternoon. Feeding wild lizards on patio and Venus flytrap coming out of hibernation.
Have a great Sunday! I will give ya a break and start back up Monday.

Hey Redhorse, about that head you speak of in the first pic, perhaps it is worth verifying that it's a discarded head and not a baby who sank into the chow. I look at that pic and have a feeling that it could be someone stuck in the chow. I hope I'm wrong. I've read someone who had a baby sink into goopy chow. Please get a toothpick and check.