Hornworm cocoons

[Psychobunny]

I have 5 big hornworm cocoons in a container under and inch or so of wood shavings. It's in my basement a few weeks now at about 68F.

What do I do now??
I have never had these before.

 

[camimom]

get them warmer.
they wont hatch, or will take forever too. if you dont get them warmer.

 

[pigglett79]

That temp. Might be a little cold for them. Check out my blog in my signature and let me know if you have questions. Also the small amount you have may not give a great male to female ratio. Also they tend to not all emerge at the sane time so some might be dying off by the time the next ones hatch. I try to pupate at least 20 at a time.

 

[Psychobunny]

Thanks, I do have all that stuff.
In your blog, U said the moths spray all over the place, what is it that they spray? Do they spray eggs all over?

 

[pigglett79]

Thanks, I do have all that stuff.
In your blog, U said the moths spray all over the place, what is it that they spray? Do they spray eggs all over?

It's liquid, it's likely their poop. They will lay eggs on the plant, but also on the humming bird feeder and sides of the screen.

 

[Psychobunny]

YIKES!! I dont like the idea of being sprayed with moth poop!!

Silkies dont do that, so maybe I will deal with them instead

 

[pigglett79]

YIKES!! I dont like the idea of being sprayed with moth poop!!

Silkies dont do that, so maybe I will deal with them instead

Haha. Yeah they are messy. Silkies are for sure easier. I have silk worm eggs coming out my ears, but they just take so long to hatch.

 

[redline]

Well I don't have cocoons but how big they get before they change?

 

[pigglett79]

I have some pictures of full grown horn worms on my blog.

 

[Psychobunny]

Well I don't have cocoons but how big they get before they change?

Mine were huge, like 3''. I just stopped feeding them and they turned into cocoons.

 

[pssh]

Silkworms will do it to but smaller amounts. They release meconium which is reddish after emerging from the cocoons. All moths and butterflies do. Its a byproduct of pupating.

 

[Psychobunny]

Silkies dont seem to grow as fast as horns, and I have 100 silks coming in the mail very soon.
My problem is, I feed off all my silkies and forget to save some for breeding.
Since I already have 5 or 6 horn cocoons, I guess I should take advantage of that and try to get some eggs, but from what U guyz have told me, I would be better off raising silkies

I really NEED something simple to feed my chams on days when I am tired and way too lazy to russle up a bunch of crickets and have them hopping around everywhere.
Worms are soooooo easy, and I can hand feed them, which helps build and maintain bonds with my chammies

 

[pssh]

Supers last forever, and butterworms also last for up to 4 months in the fridge for lazy days (until you get your other worm projects together.) roaches (dubia/discoids) are also very easy since they are much slower and dont fly or hop.