Silkworms as food?

[friendttyy]

Hey peeps I had my Silkworms hatching TOOOOOOOOO early and have to many to manage.Is it safe to feed them to my tarantulas?And if not why so?

 

[Hobo]

Yes they are safe. I use them on occasion.

 

[xkris]

Based on that pretty nutritional value chart, not only are they safe but they have excellent value. Really high on protein and moisture and not much fat in them. Never seen them sold where I live, so don't have personal experience.

 

[friendttyy]

Thanks i am thinking about mass breeding them and selling them to other countries.So maybe by the year after the next i can start selling

 

[Introvertebrate]

Why aren't more people raising them as feeders? Is it because the chow is kind of expensive?

 

[edgeofthefreak]

They're used in schools for learning about the stages of insect life. I tried raise a small amount, but I clearly had the levels off. The LPS in my town sells em for $1 a piece, and sometimes get a cool looking black striped variety. I've been thinking of adding them in as an occasional treat.

Also, they eat mulberry exclusively... my parents have a mulberry tree overlooking their driveway and my city has a ban on pesticides. So for me, their chow is really cheap.

 

[viper69]

It may be their specialized diet. They only eat mulberry leaves last I knew. Chameleons love them! They aren't even common in the herp industry.

 

[BobGrill]

They seem to be really difficult to purchase mainly due to availability being very limited. I've checked Mulberyfarms and Coastalsilkworms and they always seem to be sold out of them, or at least the medium and large sizes.

 

[klawfran3]

I might be wrong, but weren't they made illegal in some states? I think they're illegal here in Cali...

 

[friendttyy]

Hello guys ummm I have a LOT of silkworms in my house and about 100-200 unhatched eggs so I will have a steady supply and I am planning on getting a LOT more trees.

 

[Arachtion]

If you leave them a little while they turn into moths as well, always fun to watch Avics leaping on flying prey items

 

[BobGrill]

I might be wrong, but weren't they made illegal in some states? I think they're illegal here in Cali...

Coastal Silkworms is based in California, so I don't think that is true..

 

[friendttyy]

Thanks guys and arachtion..... the silkworm moths do not fly.

 

[friendttyy]

Hey guys just a vid to proof it is safe[video=youtube;juDTOpP7V7E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juDTOpP7V7E[/video]