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busterboy
Guest
does anyone know what you feed phoenix worms?
and... are silkworms hard to maintain? or do they die fast?
and... lol jk
and... are silkworms hard to maintain? or do they die fast?
and... lol jk
torquasprings
New Member
does anyone know what you feed phoenix worms?
and... are silkworms hard to maintain? or do they die fast?
and... lol jk
According to the company that commonly sells Phoenix worms, you don't need to feed them. I did, however, read an article about soldier flies, which is what the worms apparently turn into. They said they feed vegetable scraps to the worms. I tried it myself, and found that they love zucchini. LOL
As for silk worms... they were only difficult for me once when I tried to be cheap and buy from someone I don't normally buy from. They turned mushy and died.
Just keep them super dry, feed once a day (unless you want them to grow faster or slower. Adjust the food amount that you feed to how fast you want them to grow), and you're good! Good luck!
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
soldier fly maggots (pheonix worms / cali worms) normally eat rotting stuff, but will also each soft fesher vegetables. Lightly Steam (and cool) a little butternut squash, or pumpkin, or carrots, or yam ....
Silkworms are easy enough, but a bit time consuming.
more info on both types and more:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html
Silkworms are easy enough, but a bit time consuming.
more info on both types and more:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html
torquasprings
New Member
WHOA. nice! Thanks for posting the link for feeders!
natureboy86
New Member
I have a question about Phoenixs as well:
Can you leave them in the container with saw dust that they come in, or do you remove them and put them in some other type of bedding?
Can you leave them in the container with saw dust that they come in, or do you remove them and put them in some other type of bedding?
torquasprings
New Member
If you're just feeding them out to your animals, I'd leave them in their container. If you plan on raising them into their next stage (soldier flies), then I'd move them to another (larger) container with a screened lid.
natureboy86
New Member
Thanks. yea, I'm just using the phoenix worms as one of the feeders for my cham. Some have turned black, but I dont know if they're dead, or if they're transforming into flies
torquasprings
New Member
yeah, ok... I see. You know... I was wondering about the black ones being dead too. According to some website that raises the maggots into flies, the black stage of the maggot contains a higher level of calcium than the cream colored one. I guess the cream colored ones eventually turn black, stop or severely slow down their mobilization, then they turn into a soldier fly. I wish I could remember the site I was getting this from.
If I find it, I'll PM you if you wish.
natureboy86
New Member
yeah, ok... I see. You know... I was wondering about the black ones being dead too. According to some website that raises the maggots into flies, the black stage of the maggot contains a higher level of calcium than the cream colored one. I guess the cream colored ones eventually turn black, stop or severely slow down their mobilization, then they turn into a soldier fly. I wish I could remember the site I was getting this from.
Sure, that'd be great.. Yea, I just fed Koopa the last of the cream ones, there's a few slow-moving black ones in there, then there's a handful of hard, non moving black ones that are either dead or ready to break open and turn into flies. Not sure though, because I'm not sure how long they're supposed to remain in that state. Thanks for the info!
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
BSF larvae pass through five stages (instars). The dormant puparium is dark brown to charcoal gray in color.
The adult soldier fly has no functioning mouthparts; its life span is 5 to 8 days.
Believe it or not, there's a black soldier fly forum, if you are interested:
http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/forum/
The adult soldier fly has no functioning mouthparts; its life span is 5 to 8 days.
Believe it or not, there's a black soldier fly forum, if you are interested:
http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/forum/
cricketkilla
Member
You always have that good information on feeders Sandra
! I bet you spend more time on your feeder colonies than on yourself P.S. I like your new avatar, I was impressed by all the info but I didn't realize it was you. I should have known lol
cricketkilla
Member
You always have that good information on feeders Sandra
P.S. I like your new avatar, I was impressed by all the info but I didn't realize it was you. I should have known lol
I checked out a couple DIY black soldier fly bin videos and am now thinking I am probably going to start a little one when I get my babies from Lee in a couple months. But, I still can't believe there's a forum for black soldier fly enthusiasts haha! I bet they're probably saying the same thing about us though..
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
You always have that good information on feeders Sandra
LOL - it was getting pretty bad for awhile there, when I was breeding a dozen different bugs. But now I only breed a few and trade with others in a local group that breed other things. And I also got my local pet store to start carrying butterworms and silkworms, so that was helpful too.
Thanks!
that little frog was in my garden on a mild day a couple weeks ago. After I noticed the little green frog, I actually went inside and got a fruit fly culture and fed several to it. It was amazing that the frog showed no fear of me, and hung out more or less in the same spot for a couple hours. I know! I couldnt believe it either. But there it is. And really, since I keep cockroaches as pets, I shouldnt speak to what is weird anymore. LOL
cricketkilla
Member
I wish there were people in OK that cared about herp nutrition like i'm beginning too. I actually have your blogs pulled up right now to read up on horn and silk breeding and keeping lol!
I have 6 hornworm cocoons due to hatch any day now in a 3'x6' cage. Right before mojo died I was getting ready to have an 11 month female for my sambava, so I ordered a few cups of hornworm's and silkworm's thinking I was going to be feeding 3 chams. But he died, and the deal fell through on the female, so now Niro's just going to have a Thanksgiving feast with me and I'll let some go to cocoon. Funny you mentioned roaches, I told my wife I was starting a colony of Dubia Beetles haha! She would lose it if she saw one of the adults scamper across the floor, so i'm just as crazy as you.
My local pet store only carries superworms(usually half are dead and rotten.) and nasty crickets.. Consider yourself lucky.
I have 6 hornworm cocoons due to hatch any day now in a 3'x6' cage. Right before mojo died I was getting ready to have an 11 month female for my sambava, so I ordered a few cups of hornworm's and silkworm's thinking I was going to be feeding 3 chams. But he died, and the deal fell through on the female, so now Niro's just going to have a Thanksgiving feast with me and I'll let some go to cocoon
. Funny you mentioned roaches, I told my wife I was starting a colony of Dubia Beetles haha! She would lose it if she saw one of the adults scamper across the floor, so i'm just as crazy as you. My local pet store only carries superworms(usually half are dead and rotten.) and nasty crickets.. Consider yourself lucky.
LOL - it was getting pretty bad for awhile there, when I was breeding a dozen different bugs. But now I only breed a few and trade with others in a local group that breed other things. And I also got my local pet store to start carrying butterworms and silkworms, so that was helpful too.
Thanks!
I know! I couldnt believe it either. But there it is. And really, since I keep cockroaches as pets, I shouldnt speak to what is weird anymore. LOL
