Storing silkworm eggs ?

[Firewallx]

Revising an old thread, but hoping that some of the contributors are still around. I'm going to have a whole mess of 5th instar silkworms in about a week and I'd like to try letting some cocoon and mate, but I have no idea how to set that up. My searches for that information led me here, actually.

I plan to store the eggs per @lele 's recommendations above, but I'm not clear on how to go from emerging moth to eggs attached to something to put into the ziplock container. When I've ordered them, they come glued in a cup, but I'm sure that isn't where she laid the eggs. What sort of substrate do they lay on? Do you just put that substrate right into the Ziplock?

Thanks!

Hi, so I've been raising silkworms since 2020. Usually I place the mating pairs in a container lined with towel paper or wax paper. It's probably best to put a lid and some kind of ventilation. They usually stay put but I have had some climb out and wander off.
You don't have to worry about sticking them down. The female glues them down when laying the eggs. I forgot what it's called.

Lastly, don't refrigerate the eggs right away. Wait until they turn black, that takes three days. This means that the eggs have entered diapause, which is like hibernation for insects. However if they don't turn black, they are not dormant and will hatch. Placing these eggs in the fridge will kill them.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi, so I've been raising silkworms since 2020. Usually I place the mating pairs in a container lined with towel paper or wax paper. It's probably best to put a lid and some kind of ventilation. They usually stay put but I have had some climb out and wander off.
You don't have to worry about sticking them down. The female glues them down when laying the eggs. I forgot what it's called.

Lastly, don't refrigerate the eggs right away. Wait until they turn black, that takes three days. This means that the eggs have entered diapause, which is like hibernation for insects. However if they don't turn black, they are not dormant and will hatch. Placing these eggs in the fridge will kill them. To tell male from female, males are crazy and flap their wings & move almost nonstop when triggered. The females are plump & pretty much just sit there.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

^^^ 100%. I use wax or parchment paper for the moths to emerge onto and lay the eggs on. To try and keep things contained, I will place a small paper or plastic cup (with small air hole poked) over the mating pair. This also helps the happy couple not be disturbed by the single males. Once they separate I remove the male so the female can lay her eggs in peace.

 

[Ambilobe70]

Hi, so I've been raising silkworms since 2020. Usually I place the mating pairs in a container lined with towel paper or wax paper. It's probably best to put a lid and some kind of ventilation. They usually stay put but I have had some climb out and wander off.
You don't have to worry about sticking them down. The female glues them down when laying the eggs. I forgot what it's called.

Lastly, don't refrigerate the eggs right away. Wait until they turn black, that takes three days. This means that the eggs have entered diapause, which is like hibernation for insects. However if they don't turn black, they are not dormant and will hatch. Placing these eggs in the fridge will kill them.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

I'm reading that some eggs go into diapause and some simply don't. Is there a logic to that? I don't mind as long as good share do, I'll just raise the others right away. But 1000s hatching all at once for one chameleon is a bit much.

 

[MissSkittles]

I'm reading that some eggs go into diapause and some simply don't. Is there a logic to that? I don't mind as long as good share do, I'll just raise the others right away. But 1000s hatching all at once for one chameleon is a bit much.

I’ve found that almost all of mine turn dark within a few days. Once they do, in the fridge they go for a few months. I think it’s only been once that I had a batch from one moth hatch while I was waiting for them to darken. It was a surprise as at the time, I didn’t even know they could. It was only about 100+ baby silkies. Do make sure though to always have some chow mix on hand…just in case. I get my chow (and eggs) from https://www.coastalsilkworms.com/ who has really good prices and speedy service.