Reptile & Amphibian Forums

does anyone know if cabbage white caterpillers(Pieris rapae) are toxic to boxies?
I've got atleats 10 of the things feeding on my brussels sprouts
cabbage white butterfly

woops forgot to add..
anyone know if horn worms are toxic to boxies? got a few of them feasting on my tomatoes as well..

>>woops forgot to add..
>>anyone know if horn worms are toxic to boxies? got a few of them feasting on my tomatoes as well..

cabbage whites are not toxic... but hornworms are. If you want to feed hornworms, then you need to buy the domesticated variety which are raised on a non-toxic food source.
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PHWyvern

Presumably the hornworms are toxic because of what they feed on (solanaceae), correct?

>>Presumably the hornworms are toxic because of what they feed on (solanaceae), correct?

Yes. Most horn worms feed on tomatoes and other members of the toxic nightshade family and some feed on tobbacco plants (have high nicotine levels).. nicotine is a natural insect pesticide and hornworms are specially adapted to it and don't die when they eat the plants.
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PHWyvern

I have never read any literature on hornworms and suitability as food, but ive seen my box turtles eat the tomato hornworms on their own, and a friend has some toads which suck em down with gusto......on another note, this time of year there are plenty of a large, brightly colored, black and yellow hornworm in the deserts. i wonder if the bright colors mean they are toxic to the wild turtles.
-ian