Hornworm cocoons?

[cricketkilla]

I have a ton of them and was just wondering how long it will take for them to emerge as moths? I was also wondering if there are any non-toxic plants that horn worms will devour. I know that tomato plants are toxic if cham is to ingest them, just trying to avoid having to order chow for them and would rather just stick a plant in the horn worm enclosure. Any advice, opinions, or information would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[Meow Kitty]

I have a ton of them and was just wondering how long it will take for them to emerge as moths? I was also wondering if there are any non-toxic plants that horn worms will devour. I know that tomato plants are toxic if cham is to ingest them, just trying to avoid having to order chow for them and would rather just stick a plant in the horn worm enclosure. Any advice, opinions, or information would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

ive heard grape leafs and mulberry chow... which is recommended other then that i havnt heard much success other then that ive never had any cacoons but it would be ok if you sent me your extras

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

Theres acouple people on here who have already written blogs, but I've read that during winter months you have to trick the pupate to hatch, turning a light on for so many hours.

Hopefully they can tell you the exacts and if that is truth or not.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/pigglett79/720-came-first-hornworm-egg.html

 

[pigglett79]

It takes 3 to 4 weeks for them to emerge. You need to mist them daily to ensure that they don't have stunted wings. Look at my blog for moth set up help.

They will eat hornworm chow, grape leaves or dandelion greens. I really only use hornworm chow for the worms. The moths eat humming bird food from a humming bird feeder.

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

Can you breed them year around? Don't need a light to trick the pupae?

 

[cricketkilla]

Can you breed them year around? Don't need a light to trick the pupae?

I just keep my lighting schedule like summer time. 14 on 10 off.

 

[pssh]

They pupate in the ground, so you shouldnt need to mess with the lights (except maybe for the worms, but hornworms are so easy to breed that I'm not sure you would need to. Just keep them warm.) However if it gets too cold they may need to have their diapause broken, but most people dont have that issue.

They will eat (and apparently can do quite well) on grape leaves. I dont know if that might diminish their size over time/generations though. Making your own chow might be an option. Its not that hard (some call for cholsterol, but others dont, so I imagine its not that important. Plus its crazy expensive!) And there is a member here who sells it for like $3 a half lb or lb dry (cant remember.) check the classifieds.

 

[cricketkilla]

They pupate in the ground, so you shouldnt need to mess with the lights (except maybe for the worms, but hornworms are so easy to breed that I'm not sure you would need to. Just keep them warm.) However if it gets too cold they may need to have their diapause broken, but most people dont have that issue.

They will eat (and apparently can do quite well) on grape leaves. I dont know if that might diminish their size over time/generations though. Making your own chow might be an option. Its not that hard (some call for cholsterol, but others dont, so I imagine its not that important. Plus its crazy expensive!) And there is a member here who sells it for like $3 a half lb or lb dry (cant remember.) check the classifieds.

cool! Thanks

 

[pigglett79]

I breed them year round and never worry about a lighting schedule.