Hornworm Breeding: Worm to Manduca Moth (Step 2)

This is how I got my "Gummy Worms" to Moths. The more worms you have the better when transitioning into Step 3. Hornworms will all pupate at different times so the more you have the higher the probability of breeding pairs.

[@adamperez1001]

Hey boss, I love your videos, keep doing what you doing.

[@kitsunedude]

Short, sweet, and to the point. Well done! Thank you for also going every stage in detail

[@Rahyse]

@@kitsunedude thank you. I’ll show you all a part 3 with the moths soon.

[@david1benson2jonas]

Wonderful video, thank you!

[@david1benson2jonas]

Wassup Rahyse! Taking you up on your extremely kind offer to give advice. My restless a/f tomato hornworm finally settled down in a small pile of moistened peat moss covered by some coconut fiber. (Thanks much for the tip on moistening the peat moss, which seemed to be the difference maker.) Not sure what I should do now. I can easily check on him by lifting the coconut fiber, but not sure if that's wise? Can also spray water occasionally on the worm and peat moss? And how long do you think it will take before it cocoons then transitions to moth-ness? Thank you! David

[@Rahyse]

So happy for you that it worked out! =) I would not add anymore water. I wouldnt spray at all. The moisture in the container should honestly be enough. Keep the container in an area thats above 72 degrees and I would wait at least an entire week to check on him. Depending on the environment, the full process could take as soon as a week and a half to 2.5 weeks. You will want to aerate the container by simply taking the lid off for about 10 minutes day so that no mold builds up in the container. On the 4th or 5th day, I would dig up your little buddy and put him on top of the media so that you can see him as fully evolves through the cocoon stage. =)

[@david1benson2jonas]

@@Rahyse greatly appreciated, will do, thank you!

[@trenaebowers1968]

Will the moths be safe for bullfrogs to eat

[@david1benson2jonas]

Hello again Rahyse - I came across your video just in time. I captured a hornworm in hopes of seeing it transform to Manduca. For the first few days, all it wanted to do was eat. Now it's disinterested in food and appears to be looking for a place to cocoon. After watching your video, I put a pile of mulch in the tray where I'm keeping the worm. After burrowing in, it burrowed out as if it's not what it wanted. Just tried a pile of peat moss and it did the same thing (gonna name this sucker Goldilocks...). Can you suggest a medium / material? Thank you!

[@Rahyse]

I would use the peat moss, but I would ensure that it’s not too wet. You want the medium to be moist but on the dryer side. If it’s too wet, they will most times die. You need just enough humidity to mimic soil in the spring. Also if the container is too small they may bury and then come back out. Lastly if the bottom of the container is too cold or hot and there isn’t enough media they’ll come back out as well. I like your name for it. If there’s anymore questions, feel free to reach out.

[@david1benson2jonas]

@@Rahyse that's super helpful! The peat moss I used was dry as a bone, will moisten and try again. Thank you so much!

[@sydspuppets]

don’t hornworms also like tomato? that might help

[@Rahyse]

@@sydspuppets yes, but then you can’t feed them to reptiles. But definitely yes. They love tomatoes.

[@david1benson2jonas]

Hello Rahyse! I wanted to send you a photo here to get your advice on something, but since photos can't be sent on KZbin I sent it and my question to your Etsy portal. If you can take a look when you have a chance, that'll be great. Thank you!

[@robinturnbow3506]

I was able to successfully breed 3. Assuming they were all the same sex. Made really nice enclosure for them with a few nector feeders hanging inside but after a few days 2 of the 3 moths have already died. How long should they live for?

[@Rahyse]

Honestly, I havent got this down to a science yet. Manduca moths only live for about 3 weeks. Providing the correct environmental requirements is what causes them to live longer, but again, I havent got this down to a science where anyone and everyone will be successful. I'm still working on it though.

[@NikoleClayton]

Can you explain how I know when to move it to the coco fiber? I don't really understand.

[@Rahyse]

@@NikoleClayton yes, so first the worms will be chunky. If you look at the spine of the worm you will see it spine pulsing. It will go in out flashing with a black line. Once you see the spine fading in and out it’s time to drop them into the coconut fiber. 😊

[@lauranglover521]

My hornworms did the entire transition in the feeder cup that came from the breeders, now one of them came out and I have a moth...got to get an enclosure. What do I feed it now? Also, how do I get it from moth to hornworm?

[@Rahyse]

Now you feed it nectar. And you will need multiple moths to breed more hornworms which will in turn start the process over

[@lauranglover521]

@@Rahyse Thank you- I purchased a mesh large outdoor plant protector that I'll put the moths in, second moth just came out and the 3rd and final is still cocooned. Praying it comes out safely like the others did...only took about 2 weeks for them to cocoon and then become moths...very quick! I have them in a makeshift tall hamper basket with a holed top, a plant and some nectar. Happy they're getting to stretch their wings and fly a bit. When the enclosure arrives, they'll have a lot of room.

[@Stay.awayfromme]

I just picked 3 horn worms off my Tomato plants your more than welcome to have them

[@Rahyse]

Thank you, but I have a rather large amount of them and i dont usually pick up insects from outside. But THANK YOU again.

[@nikkilovetheyardsale-again2608]

So what do you feed your moths? I have 6 that will be emerging any day now!!! I have my set up accept the plants. I got to get some plants to put in there... but what do you feed the moths? Also do you have a way to sex them? I have been told it's from the worm form they are sexed. I can't fricken tell 😂 is there anyway you specifically figure that out?

[@Rahyse]

☺️ Any humming bird Nectar. I’ve been experimenting trying to make my own, but they usually die. To be safe, just go to a Walmart or similar store and buy humming bird nectar. Hmm i never tried to sex them because they grow so fast and I usually breed with 10 moths at a time; however, I’ll make a video very soon on how to sex them. 😊

[@prerenderedfmv]

hey man I caught one of these in the wild & have been raising it in a small enclosure. he just started to pupate a few days ago (burrowed himself under some dirt, had to improvise and used some of my dad’s gardening soil.) how do I check on him & when? and if he does survive what enclosure would be sufficient for the moth until I release him?

[@Rahyse]

I would wait about a week and then dig him up and put him on top of the soil. If he survives, I would put him into a butterfly enclosure just because they’re super cheap. Any enclosure with aeration will do.

[@prerenderedfmv]

@@Rahyse thank you! appreciate it dude

[@Rahyse]

@@prerenderedfmv no problem

[@Neko-seek132]

I have that kind of worm, it's called a Hornworm

[@Neko-seek132]

It's blue

[@Neko-seek132]

And it's my pet

[@Doomzilla_13]

Ayo bro! They prefer potatoes, not carrots but ok :)

[@Rahyse]

Hmmm. Mine always preferred carrots, but thanks for the info.

[@Doomzilla_13]

@@Rahyse Oh lol, Mine didn't even touch the carrots lol.

[@DanielLarsonColorodo2024]

This is true carrots can ruin their ability to pupate they can be raised on potato because it's a plant they eat in the wild

[@Rahyse]

@@DanielLarsonColorodo2024 ok. I’ll give it another try.