Silkworms laying eggs in weird places.

[chamlover]

I bought too many silkworms at the Manchester show and now i have a bunch that are cocooning. But they are laying their eggs on the side of the container. My computer got a virus and i lost the info i had on how to get them to lay in the right spot. I have them all in a container and the only thing i had available was reynolds wrap, so i put that on the bottom. But they are mating on the side and laying their eggs there where i can't get them off. Help!!! I have about 30 more cocoons. Do i need to send them to egg laying school to get them to do it right? LOL.

Debby

 

[ponders]

Hi,
I read somewhere about putting them on wax paper and putting a plastic cup over the mating pair so they would lay them in a circle shape in the confined area. It worked for me. They are in the fridge chilling right now.

 

[chamlover]

Awesome idea. Thanks i will try that. By the way i just sent you a pm about the roaches. How long are you suppose to leave the eggs in the fridge?

Debby

 

[xoiceox]

How the heck do I breed silkworms?!?! Some of mine I set free b/c they were too huge to feed to Sobe (he's only 4 months) Do I leave them in there to cocoon??

 

[Tim McRae]

heres a good article

http://www.chameleonnews.com/new/?page=article&id=56

 

[Chase]

How long did it take to get them too big? I agree with ponders, I have heard of people doing this.

LPR08

 

[desultadox]

Are silkworm eggs handleable at all? All mine laid their eggs on the silk mess of cocoons they all made and I'd like to remove the eggs so I can clean out the container.

 

[dodolah]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/silkworms-101-a-7906/

How the heck do I breed silkworms?!?! Some of mine I set free b/c they were too huge to feed to Sobe (he's only 4 months) Do I leave them in there to cocoon??

setting silkworm free is not exactly useful
they'll die in the wild. silkworm is not wild insects. their survival is completely dependent on human. check the link i provided.

Awesome idea. Thanks i will try that. How long are you suppose to leave the eggs in the fridge?

Debby

A month. But, you can keep the eggs for more than that if you decided not to hatch every eggs. the longest one I have in the fridge is for 5 months. I just hatch them a month ago. They are now about to turn to moth.

How long did it take to get them too big? I agree with ponders, I have heard of people doing this.

LPR08

check up the link. I think i have provided the answer to this Q.
If you have them with constant food and constant warm temp, they will grow big faster. But, i say about 2 to 3 weeks.

Are silkworm eggs handleable at all? All mine laid their eggs on the silk mess of cocoons they all made and I'd like to remove the eggs so I can clean out the container.

I found that the one that the moth sticks by itself is pretty strong to scrape.
You can move the cocoons itself. Just one thing, don't let the eggs touch water.