Silkworm breeder info PLEASE!

[seanUTD]

So I am starting a breeding project with silkworms... After a dramatic failure with silkworm eggs I have 40 viable worms growing on natural mulberry leaves... I have a rubbermaid tub lined with toilet paper tubed on a recycled DVR as a heater ready when the worms get big enough... What I need to know is wen can I move them to this tub and what do I need to know to maximize success with these little guys... Throw all info at me I am open to any suggestions

 

[suzi]

Sean, how old are your worms? And what are they in now?

 

[seanUTD]

They hatched about 4 days ago... The range in size of 1/8" to about 1/2"... They are still in the petri dish covered in another incubation state...

 

[suzi]

Mulberry farms says you can keep them in there for two weeks, I moved mine a little before that. Probably like a little over a week. If you look up the manduca project they have a rearing box for hornworms that works really well for silkies too. The most important thing is to keep them warm and clean. Don't handle them too much. Try and transfer them with a #2 paintbrush so they don't get squished or get germs. Always wash your hands before handling them and there food. I found the manduca rearing box worked really well in keeping the frass away from them and there food, I also just put the toilet paper rolls cut in1/2 on the mesh with the worms when they got big laying down horizontally, and they all used the rolls to cocoon at which time I removed them to a large cricket keeper lined with paper towel and they mated, laid there eggs, then passed all in that box.