waxworms turning black and dying

[Emu]

i decided to try breeding waxworms a while ago and when i got them in the mail a LOT of them were dead and over the next couple weeks i was pulling out maybe 10 or more dead a day, they seemed to turn grey with darker patches before they died. i ended up killing off the colony and i plan on starting over, i contacted the supplier and they say they'll send me replacements. i know waxworms aren't a very popular feeder becasue they're so addictive, but i figured maybe someone would know what was going on.

 

[Kristi23]

I have a lot that die, too. They don't last very long.

 

[JConley]

They have to be refrigerated in order to stay. Plus a wax worm is a moth larva so unless you can breed moths i would stick to buying them.

Sounds like silence of the lambs to me!

 

[GeckoGathering]

Oh Yes, the Wax worm, I remember it well.

I decided to try breeding wax worms a while ago and when i got them in the mail a LOT of them were dead and over the next couple weeks i was pulling out maybe 10 or more dead a day, they seemed to turn grey with darker patches before they died. i ended up killing off the colony and i plan on starting over, i contacted the supplier and they say they'll send me replacements. i know wax worms aren't a very popular feeder because they're so addictive, but i figured maybe someone would know what was going on.

Yes, I know whats going on. When they are black they are done for.......only a starving gecko will even consider them. Anything else?...........Just a little humor.........
I have tried raising them and with some success.
But not enough to make up for the pains of trying to figure out the Wax Worm guy's secrets. You don't have to worry about any breeding. At the time they turn into the moths they will have a moth get together and egg laying ?? shortly after that....then they will ka-put their lives. But you do need to prepare for "flying season" when the moth wants to roam the house or ?? where ever you are raising them. Screened mesh will contain most all of them.
It is fun to try it though. It is a challenge and worth wild at the time you get to see tiny baby wax worms. But they seem to want to go into the cocoon stage quickly. That's where I had the most problems.
Getting any size on them before they went to the next stage of cocoon.
Wax worms are also called Bee Moths. The Bee Keeper's enemy....because they will do the hive in (no first hand sighting of this)........
Advance answers to questions you will have:.....I raised them in bran with a sticky Honey/Bran mix for food.....Kept moderate to warm temperature to go through the cycles so you can get moths to lay eggs.
If you have worms, wanting to feed them to geckos and extend the life they need temperatures of 50 to 60 degrees. The fridge is usually to cold for this. Some temps. may work out in the door of the fridge where it will register a little warmer. But they will continue to get black and die unless you feed them. Everything I have read says they will not eat after they reach adulthood.
I never could tell what that was. ...but Its
't NOT TRUE They will survive somewhat longer on carrot/orange peel. They pack them in wood chips because they also die from too much humidity. So that is a concern to prolong the life of the feeder worm stage.
I continue to feed my geckos Wax Worms, especially during egg laying season. To keep the weight loss from egg laying back on. It may be a candy addiction type food but if you handle it right Geckos will come around to eat other good foods. Like good food gut loaded meal worms......with added flavor. Another subject if interested. This is only my opinion from Tests performed with My geckos. That is what I rely on............Take care. ... HJ .......Give it a try. Questions? Ask me.