silkworm moths---can blueys eat them

[aggiegirl]

I am assuming that once silkworms become moths that they are still OK to feed to blueys. I searched the forum threads and couldn't find any previous discussions about this. Anyone know for sure?
Pele' ate more of the worms than I care to admit but my kids wanted to see some of them reach the moth stage. We wouldn't mind cooling the eggs and trying to get them to hatch. I am not going to get a special incubator, etc. (because I don't have the time, money, or patience!) but if anyone has any experience with raising silkworms, please respond. Many of the sites make it sound like a daunting task. Is it?

[JWSR]

Hi Aggiegirl,

Yes it is safe to feed the moth off after they have mated and the female has laid the eggs. My beardie loved them. I used to breed them when my beardie was a baby. But for just one animal eating silkies, it really wasn't worth the mess and the cost of the chow. Of course you could breed one time, and have about 3000-5000 eggs to refrigerate. Then just incubate and hatch about 50 to 100 at a time.

Go to Mulberryfarms.com for complete breeding information. It isn't hard, they do all the work. You just have to be very clean and have your timing right as in when to get them into their spinning chambers. (half toilet paper tube for each cocoon.) It's really pretty interesting.

Hope I've helped,

[aggiegirl]

Yes, I'm in the same situation you are (for now, anyhow!) with one bluey and way too many silkworms. I pawned some off on a friend (who has multiple lizards) but I have moths who are laying eggs and about to expire! Seems a shame to waste them when my bluey is always game for live prey. He'll be glad to know we have a green light!
I don't mean to sound lazy but I don't plan to raise silkworms according to all the internet sites (ie sterility, proper temps, special keepers) as I don't have time/interest in propagating a high maintenance food item. I would rather buy more than deal with all that! I have too many small children and other pets to spend time "pampering" silkworms! I will try a low tech effort and see if that is successful. If so, I'll let ya'll know.
Thanks for the info!

[Leigh]

Freeze the recent dead, and use them at a later date

[aggiegirl]

I would have never thought to do that! I don't have too many but they only live like 3 days after they become moths. Now, I will have the lizard shelf in the fridge and a lizard cabinet in my freezer. Surely that will keep the inlaws from visiting!

[Leigh]

Now, I will have the lizard shelf in the fridge and a lizard cabinet in my freezer. Surely that will keep the inlaws from visiting!

If it doesnt, give them a good portion of moth on a mound of salad, garunteed to work