hornworm with tomato leaves?

[chameleons707]

ok so i bought 15 ct hornworms for breeding. im running low on hornworm chow and was wondering if i could instead just feed them tomato leaves? ik i know they are toxic for reptiles but im using these for breeding. my question was can the worms,if i feed them tomato leaves pass on the toxicity to the eggs?will there eggs/babies be safe to feed to my cham?

 

[pigglett79]

The eggs wouldn't be toxic. Hornworms will eat a variety of veggies and greens. I feed mine various green, squash, sweet potato, carrots, bell pepper etc. They pupate fine on veggies as well.

 

[chameleons707]

thanx! any more answers? opinions?

 

[repdog]

I do the same when I run out of chow. I use broccoli leaves and fresh home grown lettuce. I normally have turnip greens when in season.

 

[chameleons707]

and do there offspring come out safe for reptiles?

 

[chameleons707]

The eggs wouldn't be toxic. Hornworms will eat a variety of veggies and greens. I feed mine various green, squash, sweet potato, carrots, bell pepper etc. They pupate fine on veggies as well.

have you tried it before? giving them tomato leaves and the eggs comeing out safe for reptiles?

 

[pigglett79]

The tomato toxicity would not transfer from the worm to the moth and then the egg, it just wouldn't work that way. if you are worried about it feed them other veggies rather than tomato leaves.

 

[xraygirl]

have you tried it before? giving them tomato leaves and the eggs comeing out safe for reptiles?

Pigglett has a great set of blogs on hornworms and silkworms, from breeding to raising and housing. I've followed her silkworm blogs with much success. I think her blogs are the greatest for learning about horns (and silks).

So I'd trust everything that Pigglett says about your question.

 

[Kiwiflage]

I've learned almost everything about hornworms from reading piggletts blogs. I would(and do) take her advice. Bell peppers have tended to work best and easiest for me, but I would imagine a variety of veggies would be better for a wider range of nutrition!