Rearing and Breeding hornworms

[kjcams]

so how do u get the moths to eat? I only have the one and i tried to get him (or her) to stick her probiscus into the hummingbird food but didnt have much luck....

 

[pigglett79]

They normally fly up to it at night and drink. I haven't really had to help them. You can try to unroll the proboscis with a tooth pick and place it in the food.

 

[pigglett79]

OK, so my original pupae are still in diapause due to the shorter days in winter (since early November). I had some new worms in December and I put them under grow lights on a long day cycle (14 hours) beginning on December 19th and they also started pupating on December 19th. The first moth has hatched tonight. This definitely leads me to believe that the light cycle does matter. Please note the temperature and all other conditions between the two have remained constant.

 

[pigglett79]

2 more moths so far. Thank goodness I figured out the problem. Haven't had moths since October.

 

[jaredg87]

I love this post thanks so much

 

[Flabonsai]

Thanks Pigglett for taking the time to post this great information on your blog on Breeding hornworms and silks. I'm going to try the hornworms first and put them on a 17 hour light cycle. I have about 12 hornworms that are close to the size to pupate in a few days. So I'm going to give it a shot and I'll post my results.

 

[pigglett79]

Thanks Pigglett for taking the time to post this great information on your blog on Breeding hornworms and silks. I'm going to try the hornworms first and put them on a 17 hour light cycle. I have about 12 hornworms that are close to the size to pupate in a few days. So I'm going to give it a shot and I'll post my results.

Awesome. I have mine on a 14 hour light cycle and all seems to be well again. I have a consistent flow of moths and my boys are happy. Good luck!

 

[Flabonsai]

I had my first 2 moths hatch today. They started pupating on February 11. I've had them under a 17 hour light cycle and kept them around 80 degrees the whole time. So it took them about 23 days from pupating to starting to hatch.

After they hatch in to moths can I go to a 12 hour light cycle?

 

[pigglett79]

I had my first 2 moths hatch today. They started pupating on February 11. I've had them under a 17 hour light cycle and kept them around 80 degrees the whole time. So it took them about 23 days from pupating to starting to hatch.

After they hatch in to moths can I go to a 12 hour light cycle?

Yeah that should be fine. Once they hatch they are going to do their thing. Usually takes several days for them to start laying eggs. They like to eat and hang out before they start mating. Congrats!

 

[Flabonsai]

Yeah that should be fine. Once they hatch they are going to do their thing. Usually takes several days for them to start laying eggs. They like to eat and hang out before they start mating. Congrats!

Ok sounds good, I will give a report on the progress and see if they all hatch and when I start to see eggs. Thanks for the great info!

 

[SMCNARY]

Hello,

I have a new blog for rearing and breeding hornworms. You can click the link here or the link in my signature. I hope you find this helpful.

Which came first, the hornworm or the egg?

I am LOTFOL as I new I should have just asked you first!!! You have never let me down yet!!! hey I think we could make a pretty good team with your brains and my obsessive attention to detail and a attitude that will rarely let me fail we could do pretty good at this!!!

 

[pigglett79]

I am LOTFOL as I new I should have just asked you first!!! You have never let me down yet!!! hey I think we could make a pretty good team with your brains and my obsessive attention to detail and a attitude that will rarely let me fail we could do pretty good at this!!!

Ha, sounds good to me!