Alternative Uses for Hornworms?

[LittleVeiledExplorer]

Hey everybody. So recently I bought a good amount of hornworms from a local pet store. Normally I can manage to feed them off at a rate so that none go to waste. However, the other night I forgot to put them back into the fridge after getting them out and now they are too large for my chameleon to eat. I figure this is a problem many owners have dealt with considering the growth rate they experienced, and I was wondering if anyone knew of some alternative uses for them. I have about 4-5 and they just ran out of food, so any homemade hornworm food ideas are also appreciated. Thanks!

 

[jannb]

I let mine cocoon and turn into moths and then feed the moths to my adults.

 

[Harry The Cham]

I do this with my mealworms I buy a whole lot of them and let them turn into beetles which is better for cams instead of mealworms

 

[LittleVeiledExplorer]

I let mine cocoon and turn into moths and then feed the moths to my adults.

I was wondering about that. How long does it take for them to go through the metamorphosis?

 

[absolutbill]

You can use carrots instead of the hornworm food. However, the smell of carrot hornworm poop will turn you off that vegetable forever!

 

[LittleVeiledExplorer]

You can use carrots instead of the hornworm food. However, the smell of carrot hornworm poop will turn you off that vegetable forever!

Haha, good to know. I'll definitely move them into another room then. They smell bad enough already

 

[absolutbill]

They are just eating machines, it's pretty gross actually. But, the carrot trick works pretty well, better than anything else I've found.

 

[JacksJill]

I was going to suggest using them as ottomans or throw pillows when they get really big but they just won't stay put.

 

[jamest0o0]

I rarely see them get big enough to not feed off. As long as the worm isn't wider(note, not length) than between the cham's eyes, they'll be fine.

 

[LittleVeiledExplorer]

I rarely see them get big enough to not feed off. As long as the worm isn't wider(note, not length) than between the cham's eyes, they'll be fine.

Unfortunately my cham is still rather small... I was able to give him the smallest out of the group however he still had a very difficult time getting it down. I'm rather apprehensive of giving him any of the others. I'd say they are almost at their full size and Fernando just doesn't have a very big mouth.

 

[jamest0o0]

Ah okay gotcha. Yeah the full grown hornworms are pretty monstrous. Those mandibles are crazy too. My roaches will eat hornworms sometimes if they're desparate lol. Or you could eat them yourself haha.

 

[JacksJill]

@kinyonga didn't you have a recipe for hornworms once?

 

[Cordawayconstruction]

@kinyonga didn't you have a recipe for hornworms once?

I saw kiyongas cricket bacon recipe....

 

[Bmjo]

I thought you aren’t suppose to feed hornworms vegetables cause it builds up toxins in the hornworms bodies and harm your chameleon. Try silkworms they grow slower and Chams Love them

 

[Cordawayconstruction]

I thought you aren’t suppose to feed hornworms vegetables cause it builds up toxins in the hornworms bodies and harm your chameleon. Try silkworms they grow slower and Chams Love them

I didn't know that. The only thing like that I've heard is to not harvest them from tomato plants as they become toxic.

 

[kinyonga]

I just can't let you "guys" down...here's the ultimate recipe!!!
https://www.thedailymeal.com/recipes/fried-green-tomato-hornworms-recipe

 

[LittleVeiledExplorer]

I just can't let you "guys" down...here's the ultimate recipe!!!
https://www.thedailymeal.com/recipes/fried-green-tomato-hornworms-recipe

Oh my... You certainly know your bug cuisine! I think I might have to back down from this one though. Those things are massive and I imagine also rather chewy. *shudders* For now I think I'll just focus on pupating them and go from there.

 

[kinyonga]

It's not the chewy that bothers me it's the gooey and the taste!