Feeder Bugs

Geckos can be fed a large variety of bugs, A list of them is below. Keep in mind it is best to vary your geckos diet as much as possible for a healthy diet and to keep geckos from being a fussy eaters. This lists the main feeders stores sell.

***PLEASE NOTE: I do not supply any Feeder bugs***

Crickets

Crickets begin their life as eggs, hatch into nymphs then grow into adults in about 6 weeks. Crickets will moult a series of 5 times. After the final molt, the wings are released and the male can then "chirp". Crickets chirp by rubbing their two upper wings together, but only the male has the special rough vein on its wing that makes the sound louder when the other wing is rubbed against it. Male crickets will grow to approximately 1 inch long and females can grow even larger.

Here is a picture of a male and female cricket:

Crickets are available in several sizes, by weeks: Pinhead, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks old, or by size in inches: Pinhead, 1/16", 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", Full Grown (1")
Crickets can be kept in Rubbermaid containers, with some egg carton in it to prevent the crickets from trampling, fighting and killing each other. make sure to provide good ventilation. Cutting out the lid and fastening Aluminium Screen is best, do not use Fibreglass screen as the crickets can chew through the screen.
Gut loading your crickets is very important. There are many cricket gut loads and feeds available, and fresh fruit and vegetables can be used too. Also a water supply should be provided. Cricket water gels, "Cricket Water Pillows", and "Cricket Kitchens" can be used, even a sponge will work. Keep in mind that crickets can drown in a drop of water, they are very dumb.

Mealworms

Tenebrio Molitor, commonly known as Mealworms, are hard-bodied larvae, very inexpensive to buy and keep. Mealworms can grow up to 1.25" long. Larvae do t spin cocoons, but simply shed their hard casing, only to pupate, sit and wait for beetle development. Mealworms are small, as are the pupae and resulting beetle.

Mealworms possess low nutritional value, but are still a great staple food for hatchling geckos, when used with other feeders. Remember to keep mealworms in the fridge to prevent pupation.

Kingworms

Kingworms are Tenebrio Molitor, but have been given a hormone to delay the pupate stage. The Mealworm then keeps growing larger and fatter, before finally morphing into  Pupa stage, and then a beetle. Kingworms can grow up to 1.75", they are a great substitute for Superworms, and they are good for sub-adult Leopard geckos that are not quite big enough for Superworms.
Many times there are problems identifying if a supplier has Kingworms, often they are mistaken as Superworms, but they are not the same. Make sure to double check.

Superworms

Zophobus Morio, commonly known as Superworms, are the hard-bodied larvae of the darling beetle. Superworms can grow up to 3" long. Larvae do not spin cocoons, but simply shed their hard casing, only to pupate, sit and wait for beetle development. An inexpensive and easy to keep feeder.

Unlike Hornworms, Silkworms and Butterworms, Superworms do not possess the same nutritional value. Nonetheless, they still make great crunchy treats for most animals.

Waxworms

Galleria Mellonella, commonly known as Waxworms, are the larval stage of the Greater Wax Moth. Waxworms can grow up to 1" long. Waxworms are fattier, so only feed as treats and in low amounts.

Waxworms are climbers and have a knack for escaping their containers. Condensation is hazardous to the life expectancy of the Waxworms. Be careful to keep worms refrigerated at all times, removing only those required for feeding. If maintained in cups and refrigerated, they will usually live for 3 weeks.

DO NOT FEED your Waxworms as they do not eat. If food is placed in their containers it will mould and kill your Waxworms.

Silkworms

Bombyx Mori, commonly known as Silkworms, will not bite, making an ideal worm for feeding most reptiles. It is soft-bodied, slow moving and can grow to 3" in length. It is also relatively fast growing from hatching to adult can be as little as 25 - 28 days.

Bombyx Mori offer great nutritional value. Newborn are small enough for most baby reptiles to eat and young Silkworms can even be fed as they grow.

Butterworms

Native to Chile, Chilecomadia Moorei, commonly known as Butterworms, grow only in their natural surroundings and are considered a pest elsewhere. Butterworms can grow up to 2" long. There are strict import regulations concerning Butterworms. Despite the apparent cons, they are exceptionally high in calcium which makes them a super snack for your animal's). They do not bite and are soft-bodied. Since they are not bred locally, they command a high price for their size and import cost. Butterworms will last between 2-3 months in the fridge before they spoil. Refrigerate at °.

Butterworms are VERY good climbers, keep them in a well sealed container at all times and immediately close lid after feeding.

Hornworms

Manduca Sexta, commonly known as Hornworms, are soft-bodied and will not bite, making them ideal food for most animals. Hornworms can grow up to 3.5" long. In addition, their bright green color often triggers an immediate feeding response. Under proper conditions, Hornworms often grow to be huge in length and girth. They can also be fed at any size.

Manduca Sexta will moth easily. The crystalline structure of a cocoon is a must see the resulting Hawk Moth is equally fascinating and huge in size.

Phoenixworms

Hermetia illucens, commonly known as Phoenix worms, are the soft-bodied larva of the Black Soldier Fly. They do not make any noise or smell, making them ideal food for most animals. Phoenix worms can grow up to 0.75" long. In addition, the Phoenixworm is very high in calcium and do not need feeding.

Phoenix worms are easily taken care of, requiring only given a tiny amount of water if needed and last for weeks at room temperature with no feeding required.

Pinkie Mice

Some Feeders Pictures

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