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BEACHLIZARD   1 Justizn   87rx7chick   Silabiss  
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 #2091885


BEACHLIZARD
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 Hornworms nutritional value?

I have been looking all over the place for horn worms nutritional value. Can anyone point me in the right direction, I have already done the internet searches and gone through a lot of books and newspaper articles.

The information that i have gathered.

46.4mg/100mg
Low fat 3.07
Average weight 10g-12g

can anyone add to this?

Thank You



11/04/09  12:22pm

 #2092009


1 Justizn
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   Message To: BEACHLIZARD   In reference to Message Id: 2091885


 Hornworms nutritional value?

All I could find is a little information from GreatLakesHornworm.com
Link
Really nice company who ships fast an great on quality. I ordered two 25 worm cups each with more than 30 worms in them.



11/04/09  05:19pm

 #2092051


87rx7chick
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   Message To: 1 Justizn   In reference to Message Id: 2092009


 Hornworms nutritional value?

they are very high in protein. low in fat. and high in moisture and contain an enzyme that helps possessing of calcium.

they have very very similar nutrition to silk worms.

they are a good staple food but i would recommend also feeding something else each day along side them as they may sometimes cause runny poo... messy poo!!



11/04/09  06:59pm

 #2096106


Silabiss
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   Message To: 87rx7chick   In reference to Message Id: 2092051


 Hornworms nutritional value?

Manduca (Hornworms) are very nutritional but they are not a good staple food source. The water content is too high and will cause diarrhea in the same manner if you were to drink way too much water after eating. Remember reptiles usually do both urination and defecation at the same time. Use the worms as a treat and I would feed them at most 2 times a week or if you plan on using them often, just once a week. If you order them ask for a mixed cup of larger (5th instar for full size, 10-12g worms) and smaller 2nd and 3rd instar wroms to grow up after feeding off the larger worms. Keep the worms cool to slow the growth rate otherwise you will have 20 large worms that may go to waste. Allowing the worms to move onto the next phase, Pupation will give you a small brown wiggling "cocoon" and they make a fun treat as well.

Silk worms do not contain nearly as much moisture and work better for staple food sources, but you will always be better off not using one feeder as a staple... mix it up as much as you can. In the wild frilleds feed primarily on caterpillars but they probably do not get water every day, and may go a whole day eating only a few food items so they have less risk of diarrhea. Silkworms and Manduca are great to get finicky feeders eating since it is a natural food source, plus the green color is natural looking unlike underground larva and nocturnal crickets which are not common food sources for diurnal animals.

If you have any questions on hornworms please ask, I used to breed them and have worked with a leading professor in Manduca research to perfect the medium recipe for reptiles. Sadly i have no time to work on that project anymore.
11/17/09  01:01am


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