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I just received 100 silkworms and they did not come with anything to eat but they are fat and healthy. I was debating on whether to just get a mulberry tree or silkworm chow. I live in Indiana and the leaves will fall off in the winter, that is the dilemma. But also I just found something out... I put some silkworms in the cage and the ones that he didn't eat yet were on the benjamin ficus and another on the pothos. They started to eat the leaves and are still munching. I don't understand why they can't just eat the pothos as a staple. They seem to be enjoying it and it is much cheaper then buying a tree and/ or chow. I know what everyone says they SHOULD be fed, but I want to know why they can't just eat these. Thanks!

Silkworms are biologically dependent on mulberry. This type of thing is fairly common in the insect world. They may physically eat the pothos or Ficus out of hunger, but they may not be able to metabolize it and will starve. Some varieties of silkworm are able to eat the mulberry chow and some apparently won't. Call the person you bought them from and ask if they can be fed on the chow. This gives you the option to use them during winter when mulberry leaves are not around. I think any one batch of worms you raise will pretty much need one food for their life cycle. If they start off eating mulberry leaves that is what they'll need for their lifespan. If they start off eating chow that will be their staple. But, things have changed in the silkworm world recently and maybe this is no longer the rule. Check with the vendor.

Ok I will go and get a mulberry tree and hopefully be able to do the chow in the winter. They have one at Home Depot near here and it is labeled Weeping Mulberry, but the tag on it says Japanese Weeping Cherry. I don't know if this was mis-labeled one way or another or it is just another name. Thanks again

Justin - I just went back to see if it was you I gave the Weeping Mulberry info to and noticed I didn't respond to your last question...I'll get to that in a second. As for a tree, whatever the one at Home Depot make sure it is labeled with the scientific name of Morus alba. In response to our previous discussion, no, you can't just bring it inside in the winter. It becomes a large tree and would never survive in a pot and b/c it is deciduous (drops leaves in winter) it NEEDS to go thru its normal annual cycle. So if you do plant a mulberry tree plan on using it only during its seasonal months.

Something else to consider. Unless you buy a mature tree (expensive and riskier to plant) it probably would not produce enough to sustain your silkie population the first year, maybe not even the second and as Carlton correctly pointed out it is nearly impossible to change food plants mid cycle for any lepidoptera (moth/butterfly).

So again, not trying to discourage you from doing this just trying to get you set up right. If you really want to do this my suggestion would be to get yourself a tree (properly labeled) from reputable nursery as they will be more up front with you about what they have used re: bio-cides (pesticides, fungicides etc.) whereas I can guarantee you that HD sprays lots of @#!* all over them! Grow the tree for a couple years (at the very least one FULL year from time of purchase), to understand its needs to keep it healthy and to gauge it's leaf production, and use the chow in the meantime. Personally, I would get a full size tree and enjoy the fruit! Have you ever had a mulberry?? they are one of the best fruits going! But for your rearing efforts you may have an easier time with the chow.

Now, back to your question (in previous thread) re: the Giant Silks that I raise. I DO NOT rear them as feeders! These are wonderful, fascinating mini-beasts that I raise from egg to adult pairing and then release (one year cycle) so I would give no info to a herp keeper re: their particular care. I have a difficult time feeding any leps to the chams b/c of my connection to their cousins (actually the giant silk moths are not related to the silkworms other than they are both moths). I am struggling in my decision to begin using the silkworms but my disgust with crix may drive me to it!

Anyway, hope all my words help in some way. I linked to a page all about the care of Mulberry. It is from CT but for the most part it covers the basics. It has gotten out of cultivation in some areas and may be restricted to grow and/or purchase so check with your local University Extension. Good luck!

lele

>>Ok I will go and get a mulberry tree and hopefully be able to do the chow in the winter. They have one at Home Depot near here and it is labeled Weeping Mulberry, but the tag on it says Japanese Weeping Cherry. I don't know if this was mis-labeled one way or another or it is just another name. Thanks again
Mulberry Care

Actually they will go back to chow. Once started on leaves it's harder to get them back on chow but they will go back..
Very few accesible trees around my area so chow is what i use (damn expensive).

Justin,

100 Silkworms can eat a LOT of mulberry leaves. Unless that tree you are going to buy is 8' tall or more, they just might end up eating the entire tree. You might be better off looking for some wild trees. You can store leaves in the refrigerator for a couple weeks. I've even froze the leaves.

As far as the chow goes, I've read that the worms will not eat it if they started out on real leaves.

Greg White, NJ

Greg, you are right and I pointed that out in my (lengthy!) reply to Justin. May I also add that when you freeze leaves it can deplete, or at the very least, diminish the nutritive value of the plant. Just FYI

lele

>>Justin,
>>
>>100 Silkworms can eat a LOT of mulberry leaves. Unless that tree you are going to buy is 8' tall or more, they just might end up eating the entire tree. You might be better off looking for some wild trees. You can store leaves in the refrigerator for a couple weeks. I've even froze the leaves.
>>
>>As far as the chow goes, I've read that the worms will not eat it if they started out on real leaves.
>>
>>Greg White, NJ

Thanks Lele. You saved me from having to find that out the hard way.

Greg

Mulberry leaves should be rinsed well and can be stored in zip lock baggies for up to 4 days. I used to have some and they ate a ton of leaves to the point I was almost picking leaves everyday or minimal every 2 days. Once they cacoon, they don't eat anymore. Moths don't eat...

It is much eaiser to get them from chow to leaves instead of the other way around. Expect some loss if you try leaves to chow regardless if they ate chow before. I didn't like the chow so much because it smells strong making a batch. Chow is the only way to raise silkworms year round since mulberry trees loose their leaves in fall. If you want to breed silkworms, make sure to give them some dormant time chilling. Although some will hatch a few days after being laid, most will not without the cooling period. I don't recall the temperatues, but I think you need to cool at least a month. good luck.

Is it true that silkworms that have been fed only chow can't turn into moths and lay eggs?

Greg White, NJ

When used for silk production most breeders prefer to feed fresh mulberry leaves as opposed to fake chow b/c it does have a long range nutritionalk effect. Here's an article on why one lab does not use, or sell, artificial diet.

lele
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