Hornworm breeding made easy

[@elizapppad]

My friend and I adopted our two leopard geckos, and have shown interest in trying to set up our own worm colonies for gutloading. Im going to start with mealworms and dubia roaches, since we are beginners- but watching your trial and errors have made horn worm breeding more accessible for us to consider. Thank you for making these videos!

[@pamwhite9139]

Eliza thank you for the kind words. I love teaching others to save them some of my own fails. Breeding your own food supply for your babies is not only necessary at this weird time, but fun depending on how patient one can be....LOL...I also breed my dubias, superworms and its tons of fun! Ask any questions and I will try to get back to you asap.

[@carlosfuentes5025]

Thanks for the video. I really enjoyed it and it was very informative as well. I think I'll give it a try, my kids will love it.

[@pamwhite9139]

Thats GREAT!! Kids and adults both love breeding them plus its a wonderful memory for all of you ! There will be so much ahead for you please watch as many videos as you can and reach for me if you have any questions big or small along the way!! 🙏🙏🙏♥️

[@bootleg1514]

Hey Pam I just wanted to say thanks for showing us your experience with breeding manducas. Its the most descriptive information i can find online about it. Seems to be a well kept secret. Ive been keeping arachnids for 2/3s of my life and am about to start breeding them. Started a dubia roach colony last year and had so much fun with that so, I built a modest meal worm farm. My 3000 worms get here tomorrow. Im really excited to build out an enclosure for manducas. It seems very similar to mantids enclosures and thats something I've also wanted to get into for a long time. I don't actually need the feeders. The roach colony is sufficient for my spiders. The meal worms are mostly for my mothers chickens. I love invertebrates. Manducas look like a very rewarding experience so again. Thank you.

[@pamwhite9139]

Wow !! I am so happy you enjoy my videos. I feel passionate about all my feeders. I have a dubia colony that i did not pull from for 3 years. They became family to me!! I fell in love. It wasnt until this year that I culled them a bit just to keep genetics clean and changed up. People have no idea how beautiful feeders are ; i swear i have watched crickets celebrate when reunited.!!! I need to film it because i swear they do.

[@pamwhite9139]

Sounds like you are going to have fun with breeding them too and are well equipped to handle the ups and downs. If you have any questions feel free to jump here and ask. Good luck and keep going even if you hit a wall ….. its a trial and error cycle but so rewarding in the end. Have fun with it!!!

[@TheMathmath123]

Great video! Theres like no info breeding them. My area struggles to get hornworms nowadays. Haven't had basically any in any of the pet shops (except super small ones) for months now. I talked with some of the owners and they all told me if you breed em ill buy em off you anytime. So yeah , I'm considering breeding some as they sell for a pretty penny lol (also free food for my reptiles)

[@robbysreptiles]

What are you feeding the moths

[@pamwhite9139]

Hi Robby. I take super hot water (it will cool before you place in unit).......I add sugar, some kind of flavoring like almond, and I dechlorinate it with reptisafe but its not necessary to dechlorinate. I do it because it also adds a bit of electrolyte to the mix but dont use any electrolyte drink that would not be good. Water, sugar, and a tiny drop or 3 of flavoring to draw them to the nectar. Almond or a fruit flavoring like McCormicks is just enough to mimic the flowers they may be drawn to the outdoors.

[@missrockerchick09]

Hey hun! Is that a new enclosure? Where did you get it? My new moths are gonna emerge soon and wanna give them more room

[@pamwhite9139]

Lindsay hello!! Sorry for the delay its been a crazy holiday month. I actually purchased a 4 x 2 x 2 screened unit (there are a few out there) then went from there. I use whatever works around the house to avoid the high cost of traditional supplies. I use pool tubes for the moths to land on,.....3 small hummingbird feeders for their nectar and modified them. I took off the white flowers that were too specific and gave them the entire rim to drink which helps alot. They have enough room to fly around and mate. Heat lamp above with one little battery operated candle flickering to draw them near the nectar. They eat and mate and fly and lay their eggs usually between midnight and 6 am give or take. I am sorry I took long to get back to you and would love an update!!!

[@ChiChisWorld]

Why do you have to remove the eggs? Why not leave them there & let them develop?

[@CavalierCat]

Ive been watching your videos because everytime i start a hornworm colony they all die!

[@pamwhite9139]

Personally … it took me several go rounds and lots of mistakes. I used to watch videos on how to breed superworms etc etc but truly wanted to see if I could handle my favorite… the hornworm! Please dont give up because each time you feel like you failed… you did not fail trust me. You see, we all live in different homes- different environments; different temps outside and inside our homes so …. Its all about customizing what works for you personally. I believe in using everyday products like my stretchy veterinary bandages that you can buy just about anywhere they have animal supplies. They are perfect for the manducas to lay those beautiful turquoise eggs on…… The pool tubes i use in any enclosure! As long as you make sure things arent toxic - get creative. If you have any questions and are trying to figure out how they died or maybe what stage they died - i can help you figure it out. Lots of variables too like too much humidity or too much heat…. The little ones can die easily and you didnt do anything different OR you’ll have one that never seems to grow big but the others are on schedule. Just ask as many questions you need- you 100% CAN do this I assure you!! I will keep a close eye out for questions and try to get back to you asap.

[@ImmortalWombat]

Hello Pam. If hornworms are easily accessible like a store in my town is it still worth it to breed them? I have mealworm farms and cricket farms to me those are worth it. But maybe besides reptile food there is other fun benefits of hornworm farming. Thanks.

[@pamwhite9139]

Heres my opinion on that good question ; i think breeding hornworms is such a crazy journey from start to finish that I would highly recommend every reptile or amphibian owner learn how to do. It isnt easy and can be frustrating but once you try and try to get it right and successfully breed even once-- you can EASILY lean on breeding them if the day comes when they cant be found everywhere. I dont know why but i super enjoy the process in a world we expect things immediately. It slows me down to watch how cool nature truly is/-/ Hope this makes sense!!

[@angelafortier2844]

What do you keep the humidity at when they are under the soil? Do you use a top soil or a different substrate? I have tried to breed hornworms once and it didn't work out and you inspired me to try again. I Love your video!

[@pamwhite9139]

Great question Angela !! Heres what I do on my end and you can try different ways on your end to see what works for you. I failed miserably the first few times so dont stop trying - you WILL get there I promise you. When the hornworms are ready to burrow into substrate -I place them directly into my south african bullfrogs substrate. Yes it sounds like trouble but her enclosure is a perfect 81 degrees with just enough moisture to allow them the time they need to fully develop. You can use a smaller enclosure setup of your own just be sure to pay close attention when they arrive from the substrate to dry their wings (and pump life into their wings 😀) the first several hours of emerging. You see they need that first period of time to get settled in their new body so… i keep one eye on them and then place them into their flying enclosure. I always say….. try whatever works for you!! I simply found that the moment I see them pacing or slowing down and looking wonky- its time for burrowing. After a while you will simply know when to place them into the place you have chosen for them to become manducas!!!! My large “flying” unit doesnt seem to stay moist or warm enough in the substrate so as crazy as it sounds…. My bullfrogs unit is perfect for that stage. You only need a larger unit they can fly around in…. When they have become manducas; up until then…. You can easily allow them to develop in a place you have set up on a smaller scale. Keeping it at 81 degrees give or take and semi moist. Many people pull them before they emerge on their own time because they think “why havent they popped up? Are they dead?” But leaving them to fully develop and emerge on their own takes self discipline LOL…. Trust me; they WILL emerge barring any complication… exactly when they are ready. Depending on how many burrowed in … at the same time…. They will pop up each day ….. just keep an eye on wherever you placed them then after they gain composure and can fly…. Transfer them to the unit they can fly - mate- and lay eggs!! They arent picky on substrate. It just needs to be around 80 give or take and slightly moist. If you do add water to the substrate dont add it directly on top of where they burrowed or they might emerge a day too soon. I have added water to moisten the substrate and that day or night…. Bam they came up ….. i stopped doing that unless i know they have been under the substrate several weeks…. I think they react to the water thinking its a rainfall and emerge. I hope this all makes sense i kinda swerved around on this answer!! Good luck!!!!

[@angelafortier2844]

@@pamwhite9139 I appreciate you getting back to me and all the information. I am super excited to try this again! I am also going to try silkworms. 😁

[@Puffin365]

What size cage is your adult setup? Also do you only feed the moths nectar

[@pamwhite9139]

Hi Puffin365.....my unit is 4 x 2 x 2 and works perfectly. I have seen them online at different companies as little as $99 but you can also build your own which I am a huge fan of doing things yourself. I bought my units but however you get creative will work. They need enough room to fly around, drink nectar while hovering with their proboscis and place eggs all over so I went with the larger unit. You can use a smaller setup it just depends on you. I only feed the moths nectar that I change every other day completely. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Keep me updated!!

[@Puffin365]

Do you keep the soil if I may or media damp or dry?

[@Puffin365]

After watching your videos I'm giving it a shot to breeding my own hornworms and silkworms. I thank you for all the information you have put in your videos, so far I have 9 cacoons

[@pamwhite9139]

Damp; And dont water on top of them and i would not do that much at all-they will do their thing but if you water too much they will emerge too early. They for some reason think its rain and if their time is coming this will stimulate an early emerge. I have caused this many times then realized i had watered the soil hours earlier.

[@pamwhite9139]

Awww puffin thanks

[@Holypikemanz]

Toad sighting!

[@jordynriepma9424]

I have a question! I have two horn worms and i think its resdy to burry itself . I put them in a container with substrateAnd some spinach in the container as well They cannot eat spinach and then one of them is I believe trying to dig but it’s on its back kind of going in a circle motion of his body is that normal?

[@pamwhite9139]

Sorry this is late…Its normal and each one is different. If they have enough substrate it will be fine. Circle motion also fine.

[@easydoesit714]

Hi Pam what substrate are you using?

[@pamwhite9139]

In my tall enclosure where they fly eat and mate … i just have normal dirt or potting soil because of my live plants. You can use pretty much anything. You can make your own setup just so they can climb on things and have space to take flight. They typically fly at night. 🌺

[@jerrywhite1329]

Do have these setups going all year?

[@pamwhite9139]

I do for filming ….But spring summer is easiest to maintain temps and humidity.

[@michaelperaino1500]

Can you tilt the camera horizontal for future videos? It will make the video fill the TV screen.

[@pamwhite9139]

Sure thing!! Will do next time 😀

[@thegeckonextdoor2445]

I have 12 hopefully going to hatch soon. Should I keep them buried or take them out of the soil? Any advice would be great!! Do you have Instagram?

[@pamwhite9139]

I apologize i missed this!! The answer for me is i leave them be and they emerge on their own.

[@pamwhite9139]

I dont have instagram… 😀

[@thegeckonextdoor2445]

@@pamwhite9139 I have had 5 hatch over this past week. 3 have died. Their probsicle weren't formed properly... :( I can't seem to get them to drink the nectar any suggestions? Thank you so much.

[@pamwhite9139]

Always leave them in substrate they will emerge completely on their own. Some need a few extra days even a week so i always let them decide naturally. When they emerge many need a whole day to dry their wings. If pulled from substrate too early they may not be fully developed. I always have one or two that need help drinking even after a day to dry their wings. I have videos here that show you how to gently guide them to drink. From handling them to helping them take their first sips of nectar. Its all here so feel free to look on my channel for them. I will guide you and answer any questions afterward. It may take a few times to go through this breed cycle but you CAN do it.

[@TBREAKTIME]

Love you!!

[@eileennicholas8408]

what do you feed them

[@ashm7955]

Hello! Why do you not just bury them in the moth enclosure?

[@pamwhite9139]

My moth enclosure just doesnt hold heat in the substrate. The heat lamps are on top so the moths can fly and warm up as its a screened unit. My bullfrog unit has a perfect temperature of 81degrees so i bury them in there with her! Yep just six inches from a south african bullfrog!! But she never bothers them. She sleeps; they just have to climb a few vines. I have never lost a single manduca …… you can get creative with your own !! If you have a screened unit that holds enough heat in the substrate - that would work too!!

[@ashm7955]

@@pamwhite9139 awesome, thank you so much!

[@Polstok2024]

My moths wont mate and lay eggs

[@pamwhite9139]

I want to help but need more info like….how many moths do you currently have? Having several at once (which is timing really) will increase your odds. Can they fly in their space you have provided? They mate typically at night …. But they will mate during the day at times. Its possible you have all males or all females ? Reach out to me and I will help you !!🌺 Describe as much as you can. Thanks!!!!!