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New Article: Calci Worms (Black Soldier Fly larvae)

evut

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Thank you for the article.

I've had strange experience with Calci worms. The first time I got them for my caudates, they were white and soft, similar to waxworms. The second time - from the same supplier - light brown with hard shells which they seemed to shed all the time. The first type didn't seem to be a big hit with the animals and I didn't use the second type because they seemed too hard for caudates.
Are different species of insect sold as Calci worms or why were they so different?
 

findi

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Hi Eva,

Thanks for you note; glad you enjoyed. Interesting...I've come across brown pupae but not larvae of that color here in the US. But different species mat be available in the UK, sold under same name...I'll check with a contact and see if I can find any further info, Best, frank
 

tcbemis

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Hi... I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd give it a try. We've been purchasing both Calciworms and Reptiworms for you our A. Maculatum. They prefer the Calciworms for whatever reason, even though they smell like vinegar and are $3.99 for roughly 7 larvae (we're feeding 6, obviously that makes no sense and I don't know why Petco sells such small amounts). The Reptiworms are healthier looking and much more cost effective. We've been getting them online.
The reason some are black and some are cream colored is due to molting; they get nearly black before they molt, moving onto another "size".

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
 

findi

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Hi... I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd give it a try. We've been purchasing both Calciworms and Reptiworms for you our A. Maculatum. They prefer the Calciworms for whatever reason, even though they smell like vinegar and are $3.99 for roughly 7 larvae (we're feeding 6, obviously that makes no sense and I don't know why Petco sells such small amounts). The Reptiworms are healthier looking and much more cost effective. We've been getting them online.
The reason some are black and some are cream colored is due to molting; they get nearly black before they molt, moving onto another "size".

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

Thanks very much for that info.

Seems very expensive...are you using earthworms as well?...always accepted, easy to rear and very good as a basis of the diet. Best, Frank
 

tcbemis

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Yes, although they don't like the red wigglers, they prefer our (currently frozen) garden earthworms. But if we scald and cut the reds, they'll take them. ?

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
 
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