gray tree frog will only eat moths

[Jayzie Greenfrog]

Hi sorry to hear about Hoppy I just wanted to add that it is really REARLY easy to raise wax moths regardless of the time of year I keep a culture going all the yr. round. Just allow the wax worms to pupate (leave them) they will do it and will then hatch into the moths you want. I have mine in a large round clear bucket which I keep covered with tights (one leg tied off the other cut to allow access but keep moths in). The wax worms you buy may not feed just leave them to pupate, the resultant moths will mate readily and lay hundreds of eggs which you may or may not see, you will need to feed the resultant worms you wont see them they start off very small. The food you need you can easily make. I have found a mixture of 1 cup of something called Ready Break here, which is a children's cereal which is very like porridge only very smooth I am sure any similar product would do the only reason to use it is has something in it which will inhibit mould growth in the culture it is possible to just leave it out which is why I mentioned it first. The other ingredients are easy 2 cups of oats (porridge) and 3 cups of bran. Mix up with about a cup maybe slightly less of runny honey and a couple of table spoons warm water until you have a moist consistency which only slightly clumps together it should remain reasonably loose. Keep the wax worms on this mixture and keep topping up as it gets eaten. Producing moths really isn't difficult and doesn't take much time, they don't need cleaning, unless your mixture goes mouldy that is the biggest problem but if kept with just the tights covering all should go well. This works just as well for the lesser wax moth as the larger normal wax moth. You can of course also feed the wax worms which you produce. Also I often add some calcium and frog vits / mins to the mixture just to gut load the moths / worms. Good luck if you try!

[wriggles]

Good luck if you try!

I tried cultivating wax worms with honey and wheat bran, in a container with wax paper and a lid covered with a paper towel (bad idea with the paper towel lol). I got maybe a dozen or two moths within 3 months or so, and they were super tiny moths, not even worth a snack. I tossed them and haven't tried again since =(
If you're getting hundreds and they're a good size maybe I should try again =O

[Jayzie Greenfrog]

They obviously do tend to come in batches where I have so many I cant feed them fast enough! even when it isn't producing so many there are usually several most days mine is a lesser waxmoth culture which just keeps producing. I find the size of moth is dictated by the quality and quantity of food available. I have tried adding wax in the past and haven't found it makes for better or bigger moths. I have also used paper to soak up excess water but that seems to promote mould growth; by using a container from which moisture can evaporate easily this culture has avoided these problems. Perhaps I should consider going into business producing moths!

[MsBlueRose]

They obviously do tend to come in batches where I have so many I cant feed them fast enough! even when it isn't producing so many there are usually several most days mine is a lesser waxmoth culture which just keeps producing. I find the size of moth is dictated by the quality and quantity of food available. I have tried adding wax in the past and haven't found it makes for better or bigger moths. I have also used paper to soak up excess water but that seems to promote mould growth; by using a container from which moisture can evaporate easily this culture has avoided these problems. Perhaps I should consider going into business producing moths!

Not a bad idea, you could post them on here and sell them to FF members first and see how it goes! Good luck! I am gonna try to culture some moths myself!

[Jayzie Greenfrog]

Hope it goes well, if you run into any problems just give me a nudge I will do what I can to help you succeed All the best Jay.

[MsBlueRose]

Thanks a million. I will keep that in mind!

[Ted]

There is a way to fool tree frogs into eating that I've used many times and they usually fall for it..you take a thin guitar string,like a .006 stainless e string. Then you impale an insect,or meal worm or earthworm chunk etc. on the very end..hold the wire maybe 12 in. up and start making it fly around his head,,,like a flying bug..I've had stubborn frogs dive on this..