Hornworm help plz

[Abe]

So I'm raising my own hornworms and I placed them in the dirt about 1 week & 1 day ago & they have turned in to a cocoon, I checked 1 of them today and yes it is a cocoon but the cocoon wiggels...Question is will the cocoon wiggel all the way up until there a moth?

 

[pigglett79]

Some wiggle all the way to moth and some don't.

 

[Abe]

So after a week should I keep them in the dirt? is there a period where I should chang the dirt? Or put them in a paper towel?

 

[Dave]

No, they will emerge when they are ready, just keep the soil from drying out.

-Dave
SPF

 

[pigglett79]

I keep them in the dirt and mist it daily. I only change the dirt if I see mold or a dead worm.

 

[Abe]

Do they get nutrients threw the dirt?

 

[pigglett79]

After they cocoon they don't need any nutrients. The dirt is mainly for them to dig in to and then to retain moisture. I tried using paper towels once but did not have much success. The moisture is really important or their wings won't develop correctly. I have also seen moths with stuck pieces of cocoon on them when the moisture isn't kept high enough.

 

[Abe]

Very helpful stuff & thx