Meal worms?

[thequeenoftimeandspace]

I have whites tree frogs, and doing research prior to getting them I've read that it's good to switch up their food (crickets, meal worms, pinkies, wax worms, etc)
Some sources say meal worms are fine on a semi regular basis, then others say very rarely.

So how often is it ok to feed them meal worms?

[LilyPad]

I do mealworms once or twice a month with my frogs as a treat, never more than that as they are high in fat and chitin. I never do waxworms, not only do they stink to high heaven when they die, they are equivalent to offering your frog a donut. Full of fat with no nutrition. The best things to try to add variety would be earthworms and dubia roaches IMO. Make sure you're dusting with vitamins and gutloading your crickets also.

[flybyferns]

Hi

Forget the waxworms-- feed the frogs the wax moths ! They love them

Culturing is not difficult.

You can let the waxworms cycle through the cocoon stage. They will need food and a sturdy , very sturdy, container.
They could possibly chew through thin plastic such as a deli cup or fruit fly container. The will make short work of a FF culture lid in a day or 2.

Actually, waxworms are not actually worms. They are the larvae of wax moths. Moths and butterflies have basically the same life cycle- caterpillar, cocoon, butterfly (moth)

Waxworms are found in bee hives --their food and substrate should have honey in it.

When you begin to see the hardened 'brown worms' - its not dead- that is the cocoon.
They will turn into moths soon after. The moths will live only about 2 weeks ; at which time---the frogs will enjoy them.

great instructions: substrate recipe ( many others can be found on-line)
Breeding Waxworms

There have been FF threads for this over the years.... simply do a FF search

[brian c]

hey amy funny comparison a donut haha

[LilyPad]

I have thought about doing that, Lynn. I can get wax worms very cheap about a block away. I have heard the cultures are very gross smelling though.

[mpmistr]

I have thought about doing that, Lynn. I can get wax worms very cheap about a block away. I have heard the cultures are very gross smelling though.

That is what basements are for

I am really considering trying to rear wax worms in to wax moths. I don't know how much nutrition a wax moth would provide, but to hunt a flying insect would be very stimulating to tree frogs. There just aren't many if any flying insects that can be cultured (correct me if I am wrong here).

[limnologist]

I found that it was really easy to get the wax worms to morph and that they didnt stink too terribly. getting them to breed was another story however :/

[flybyferns]

I have thought about doing that, Lynn. I can get wax worms very cheap about a block away. I have heard the cultures are very gross smelling though.

Hi,
I've made lots of cultures--- never smelly ?
Yours probably died ?
If they are fed ( cultured) they go on and on and on - they are very prolific.
An adult wax worm can lay 1000 of eggs
They like to be a little crowded.

[LilyPad]

I read that the cultures stink, I've not tried it yet. I have had wax worms die while waiting for them to cocoon (and feed the moths, not actually breed them) and they DO stink. Bleck!

Has anyone tried turning phoenix worms into flies? I bought some phoenix worms and THEN did some research, and ended up deciding against feeding them to my frogs. So they are just sitting there. I thought about letting them turn into flies.

[flybyferns]

That is what basements are for

I am really considering trying to rear wax worms in to wax moths. I don't know how much nutrition a wax moth would provide, but to hunt a flying insect would be very stimulating to tree frogs. There just aren't many if any flying insects that can be cultured (correct me if I am wrong here).

I found that it was really easy to get the wax worms to morph and that they didnt stink too terribly. getting them to breed was another story however :/

I have thought about doing that, Lynn. I can get wax worms very cheap about a block away. I have heard the cultures are very gross smelling though.

I'll look for my culture recipe
Stay tuned

Yes they do love them !
I pull a few legs off the moths and throw them in the cricket bowl. ( not fun )
When a cricket walks by the..... moth spins.
I do not let them 'fly' around the tree frog enclosures.
( actually they don't really fly very well---the moth spends most of its time climbing up and down the glass)
I have callridryas and moreletii---- they don't pay attention to what they are jumping into; beyond the moth.
They will injure themselves .................for sure.

[Lija]

People... Please please dont feed your frogs mealworms or superworms, please!

That is great idea on moths! I wonder what is a nutritional value of them, should be less fat. Ill give it a try.

[flybyferns]

Here you go:

WAXworm culture medium > for waxmoths
1)Warm honey in a heated sauce pan. Add enough bran to make it stiff- but NOT gooey.

2) Spread it on a cookie sheet till it cools.

3)Crumble it up and place on the bottom of your container. Freeze any extra for later use

culture medium depth 1-1/2 " ---- in a STURDY container w/ several very tiny air holes
ie 3-4 cup Glad container - (the ones with the red or blue lids that screw on )
You can crumble/ make tight balls / of wax paper --- throw that in on top of the food/medium.

BTW - Breeding temps should be kept in the low 80s.....warm ...so you will want to think about the cooler months. Yuck --- I hate to think about those cooler months

**************
this has turned into a thread about waxworm moths ! not meal worms

thequeenoftimeandspace, I hope you don't feel like we hijacked your thread.
I hope all of your questions were answered regarding feeding the worms or waxworm
caterpillars , they are really fattening and increase the risk of bowel obstructions