Silkworms - comparison pics

[Miss Lily]

Today I took photos of the biggest silkworm that hatched on Tuesday and the smallest one that hatched yesterday. The cocktail stick is there for size comparison. I use these to gently transfer the worms to new food. They are growing and I haven't lost any yet so I must be doing soemthing right! Now I need to sort out screen bottomed tubs for them all so I can move them up when they are big enough. From what I have read, the largest one has already moved up to the second instar, as have all the others that hatch on Tuesday and Wednesday - the first instar/hatchlings are black and hairy and very, very small!

 

[bigcappa]

Tiff I'm lovin' your silkworm threads! They grow so fast! Good luck with them.

 

[Miss Lily]

Thanks! This is the first time of breeding these so everything is still very new! Silkworms are sooooo expensive n the UK so to breed my own will be a real achievement and save me a LOT of money. My chams love silkies but they are treats only when I can get them. My two little green friends are going to be very happy!

 

[bigcappa]

O wow I didn't realize they were so expensive in the UK, so extra good luck to you!

 

[Miss Lily]

Yeah they are! The last lot I bought I paid £5.99 for 25 and all but 5 arrived dead. More then died too and I only got to give 1 to Tommy, so yeah, breeding my own feels great! I complained and asked for a pack of eggs rather than replacement worms and got 500 sent out the same day. That was BEFORE my eggs from last year starting hatching on Tuesday! I am going to be over-run with silkworms!