Hornworms?

[Yessabub]

Ive had problems with hornworms since i got them, i ordered a hornworm pod from coastal silkworms and i didnt know you were suppose to prop it up for air lol (my stupidity). Once i figured that out after losing about 5 out of my 20 i had the food dilema. In order to keep it fresh and not dry up you should keep it in the fridge BUT i got tiny worms in my pod so i needed for them to grow quickly. In order to do this they require a higher temp i heard 88 or around there i did this BUT this drys out the food even quicker. Sooo would buying the hornworms and putting them in something ventilated and just feed them like i do my silkworms be easier than buying pods? (which are suppose to be self sufficient)

 

[withlime]

I've never had a problem with the food drying out in the pod. Perhaps put a wet paper towel under where you have them sitting so the humidity stays up? Just be careful to check on them and make sure it doesn't cause mold to start growing on the food or frass.

 

[stokelyw]

what do you feed your silk worms and where can i get alot or even breed them

 

[summoner12]

Sounds like the chow wasn't made right. I only have issues when the chow was made to dry.

 

[Yessabub]

Well im down to about maybe 5 now and only one appears to be growing and the others are still small but i suspect its because the food is drying up too fast. I just thought of this now do they need light? where my pod is there is no light.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Well im down to about maybe 5 now and only one appears to be growing and the others are still small but i suspect its because the food is drying up too fast. I just thought of this now do they need light? where my pod is there is no light.

The cacoons/moths need a photo period, so I'd say, I't safe to say worms would need one as well. I'll have to play with hours of daylight exposure, to see if I can slow or speed up growth.

"Sounds like you have one sleepwalker, and 4 others in the dark."

 

[summoner12]

When I have young, small horn worms I keep them in my Hovabator at 84*F. This get them to full size in about two weeks maybe even faster. They do get light through the top windows on the incubator. I think your issue is temp and dry chow. You might even have a crack in the cup which can cause the chow to dry even faster.

The best tip I can give.... Place up with chow up, use a pen or pencil and place it under one side of the cup causing it to tilt and create an air gap. You can also put the cup over the edge of a counter or table or use wire racks. You need to dump the fras once a day when they worms are about an 2" long. as they get full size and you have more than5-7 worms, you might need to dump the fras twice a day... by this time you are running out of food anyway... so feed them off lol. Keep them warm if you wanna grow them and if you want to make them last you can chill them in the fridge. You can't leave them in the fridge too long and you don't want to place them in a cold part of the fridge either (might get too cold for them). in the fridge for 12 hours, and out of the fridge for 12 hours shouldn't hurt them. I know Dave Weldon has a post somewhere where he talks about his cycles... if not I am pretty sure there is a thread or site that talks about it.