Wasted Wax Worms

[spooky]

I found an online live food supplier, and in my excitement I hastilly ordered 50 waxworms (the smallest amount they had) as 1 of my White's is a bit too slim. However, when they arrived I realised straight away that they're WAY too big for my frogs. They're the same size as them in fact. I did put one in their then tank, and it had gone by morning. So I put another one in the following evening, only to watch it burrow itself into a plant pot Soooo, I've heard frogs love moths. If I let these larvae turn into moths, will they still be too big? I'm not sure what type of moth they are. What do they eat? And how do you keep them until Moth-hood?? They're currently in a tiny pot with shavings.

[John]

If you leave them in that pot and keep them warmish (mid early to mid 20s C) they will turn into moths on their own, though it will take several weeks. They might still be too big but if you feed the frogs well in the mean time they should be able to have a go. They are Wax Moths, hence the "waxworm" name. They live in Bee Hives. You don't have to feed the moths unless you keep them a long time.

[spooky]

Oooh, I'll give it a go!! Thanks John

[Kurt]

You could culture them, so you will have smaller wax worms that you can use. There is a recent thread on how to do this.

[spooky]

Thanks Kurt, I'll look for the thread

[Kurt]

I should look for it to, as I bought waxworms recently in the hopes of culturing.

[spooky]

Well, I found the thread re. wax worm culture and decided to give it a go... Caterpillars are now happily climbing a cardboard tube and sitting in my dark, dry cupboard. Fingers crossed!!
(I used an old spaghetti jar with a piece of muslin cloth for a lid and a cardboard roll for climbing . The stuff at the bottom is weetabix crushed with honey)

[Kurt]

I have been meaning to get around to doing this. I, at least, have a shopping list in my car, just have to go to the store for the ingredients.

[John]

Alan Cann's excellent guide to culturing wax worms: Waxmoths