Breeding waxworms, what cereal?

[blazetown]

I've been thinking about trying to breed the waxworm/moth and was wondering if anyone else here does it? If you do, what cereal do you use? I was wondering if allbran or shreddies would work. The guide I've been using says weetabix but I don't think the medium matters as long as it is a grain base. Any suggestions?

 

[Matt K]

If you used the search function, there is a whole thread on how to do this on this forum.

To answer, I used plain oatmeal mixed with a very small amount of honey.

 

[ZergFront]

I tried breeding them, but they always developed black patches under their skin. I have no idea why.

 

[blazetown]

I got some honey finally so I'm gonna see what happens. I noticed that when they have been stored in a refrigerator you can tell because they get black spots or just turn black and die.

 

[tryme]

waxworms are EASYYYYYY. Ok get something like wheetabix mash it up mix some honey you need some card which is torn so the jagged edge bits are showing stick them in a decent sized container, put them in your airing cupboard and in a couple weeks it will be a nice big culture. Trust me I put in 20 worms and ended up with atleast 500. Collect them up stick them in containers and put them in your fridge so they last longer. You can also carry on another 20 into a new culture and keep it going!

 

[blazetown]

I have a bunch pupating already. I threw in a criss-cross of egg carton pieces as an egg site for the moths.

 

[ZergFront]

Cool, ok. No more refrigerated waxworms.

 

[blazetown]

Well I think what the problem is, is that theres a threshold temperature that they can be kept at before weaker individuals are affected. Say for example your fridge runs at a lower temperature than someone elses, you may have them dieing off while the other person doesn't.

 

[rm90]

I tried to breed waxworms a while ago and I got about 8 to pupate into moths but have not had any waxies born. I still have the container for those "what if.." but still, no waxworms in it.

 

[blazetown]

I have some still in larvae and many moths hatching and laying and dieing off but still no babies yet. The honey I used turned slightly alcoholic so I hope it doesn't ruin the eggs or something.

 

[blazetown]

Even though the honey I used for my culture is was semi-alcoholic I succeeded. I just peeked in yesterday and it looks like some pupae didn't hatch but they're has to be at least a thousand tiny waxworms in their. So yeah with patience these are easy peezy.

 

[rm90]

I tried to breed waxworms a while ago and I got about 8 to pupate into moths but have not had any waxies born. I still have the container for those "what if.." but still, no waxworms in it.

I posted that August 12, and it is now August 27th and I have about 4 dozen waxies! Going to breed them again to hopefully double that amount.

 

[blazetown]

One final note. I noticed a lot of the tiny worms were crawling out of through the screen on their colony. If you're going to breed these put the colony in a pain of water or use tiny tiny gauge screen like micromesh.

 

[ZergFront]

One final note. I noticed a lot of the tiny worms were crawling out of through the screen on their colony. If you're going to breed these put the colony in a pain of water or use tiny tiny gauge screen like micromesh.

What about pantyhose or will they chew through?

 

[blazetown]

I honestly don't know zerg I'll probably try it on my next batch.