John,



When we say "worms" we mean caterpillars or larva, as opposed to earthworms (though I think some folks feed them). The most common are:



silkworms and hornworms. these are both actually the larval stage of moths: silk moths, sphinx moths respectively. Silkies are great, have a soft integument - “skin” - high(er) in calcium. Downside is that if you do not have access to Mulberry Leaves (and a good supply) you need to feed them an artificial diet "chow" but a viable option, just can get a little pricey. Mulberry is the ONLY host plant this species will eat. These are readily available and worth getting at least some. here are some sites: (first two are fellow KS posters and I can personally recommend both)

www.californiasilkworms.com/

www.silkwormfarm.com/

www.mulberryfarms.com/ (sell hornworms, too)



then there are waxworms, which are the larva of a wax moth (PLEASE NEVER EVER let the adult moths of these loose. They infest honeybee hives and do very serious damage). They are very high in fat and are recommended as a treat not a staple

Here is some info: http://home.earthlink.net/~kenuy/waxmoths.htm

You can get them at many sites (herpfood.com, nyworms.com, etc.)



There are also meal worms Tenebrio molito and superworms Zophobus morio (NOT the same thing) which are the larval stage of a beetle. The mealworms are OK, have a tougher skin. Superworms are larger and have a more digestible skin. Both of these are readily available, too.



Keep in mind that you want to vary your feeders and include other insects such as crickets (well gut loaded, preferably not with commercial gutload with the exception of a couple), flies, roaches, etc.). Some folks use both silkies and supers as staple diet, but again, variety is what they would have in the wild so we try to mimic the best we can within our limitations.



OK - confused??? Hope not! Here are some articles on rearing, nutrition, etc.



www.chameleonnews.com/year2003/index2003.html

http://www.chameleonnews.com/year2002/index2002.html

{url]http://www.chameleonnews.com/year2002/sept2002/nutrition/nutrition_sept_02.html[/url]



Hope this has helped!!

lele
-----
0.1 veiled - Luna

0.2 green anoles Jaida & Jetta

0.1 brown anole - Jamaica

0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia

0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

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