Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have silkworm eggs in my refrigerator from last year. I want to take the eggs out and hatch some silkworms for my 3rd grade class. How long will it take before the larvae start coming out from these chilled eggs?

Thanks ahead of time.

Probably around a week, maybe less when they will start hatching if the eggs are fertile and good. I have some in my frige that has been there for 4-5 years now. I think I will try them out next year. Just make sure you have enough food for your silkworms to complete their cycle, unless you just plan to feed them off to some critter. Keep in mind mulberry trees loose their leaves in the winter.

The egg gestational period for bombyx mori is 21 days. Depending on when you put them in the refrigerator, they'd finish the cycle after you pull them out. Generally, it should take 1-2 weeks for them to hatch once you pull them out, unless there was a delay in putting them in the refrigerator...and then they could hatch sooner.

Usually, they are only viable for a year under refrigeration and anything longer kills the eggs.

n/p