Dead Red Hornworms?

[happiness]

Recently, I made a new batch of chow and placed my hornworms in plastic containers that I cleaned out with dawn soap. The hornworms are about 1inch long (size varies, but no where near pupae size) Ever since.. Each day Ive been seeing dead red colored horn worms at the bottom of the cups. I couldn't find anything about it. If a picture is needed I can take one. TY

 

[Craigwyatt]

I can't help you but a pic would prob be needed for whom ever could help you.

 

[pigglett79]

I have never seen a red Hornworm, could you take a picture?

 

[happiness]

Here are the pictures. I tried to feed one that looked a little weird in color to my chameleon. It didn't seem dead. It had its head up in a curl and was hooked on the gutter wire I have in my plastic container. I fed it to my chameleon and she chewed it two times and spit it out.. so there must be something wrong with them.

 

[pigglett79]

Hmm that's strange. I would fear some type of infection and just toss them all.

 

[little leaf]

Did they start off green ? I can not help you either - but just want to follow - interesting - who did you get the chow from ? I would call and ask them about it- the only time I have seen mine look a bit weird is when shed gets stuck to them - but it does not look like that pigglett79 is the pro ! if she does not know............. but I do agree - I would toss them all - not worth getting your chams sick ~

 

[happiness]

I doubt the chow is the problem. I fed all the hornworms the same exact chow as tiny babies and had no red hornworms. It's all of a sudden. I did pick each one with my hands and I didn't wash my hands before handling them (since they aren't as harmed as silkworms are).

They're all blue. The all red ones started after I put them in new containers. Could it be too much humidity? I didn't wipe the sides of the cups really good after putting the chow in. Or possible germs/bacteria from my hands?

Why do hornworms get shedding stuck? A lot of mine have been having this problem.

 

[pigglett79]

Prob low humidity leads to stuck sheds, I have even had to carefully cut sheds off of them. But high humidity leads to mold and bacteria so I'd rather have stuck sheds.

Do you see any white spots or film on your food or in the cup? I worry about a bacterial infection which could then infect your cham.