Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm planning to start my own silkworm colony, but couldn't find much information on the part after they cocoon....my question is, after the moths come out, do I need to identify one female and one male, and put them in a lunch bag; or wait till they pair up themselves, then move the joined pair together? Either way, how do I transfer the moths to a lunch bag?

Thanks.
Bonnie

Could use a q-tip. What did you have them cocooning in?
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www.hullabalooherps.com

I haven't started, just want to make sure I know every step before I start...

Well, here is my plan: I'll put the worms that are ready to spin in a large plastic box with cardboard tubes in it; they'll spin their cocoon inside these tubes, and when they're fully done, I'll transfer the cocoon into another box. Once they break out from the cocoon, and found a partner, I'll move the breeding pair into a lunch bag or something, so they'll lay eggs in it.

I am not sure if the transfer process will dislodge a breeding pair?

Why move them at all? The moths don't live very long and you won't even need to feed them. You will need to move the eggs...refrigerate.
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www.hullabalooherps.com

I don't think you should move the larger worms. Sometimes, especially when they are ready to cocoon, the extra handling will stress them and they'll die.

Just put the tubes on the tray or in the tub you are raising the worms in. When they cocoon in the tubes remove cocoons and put them into what you want the moths in.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

I didn't know you had to move them to lunch bags. I just put mine in a tub with nylon screen material. They lay the eggs on the screen and you cut out the sections with eggs on it.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

Just pick them up by the wings and drop them into a lunch bag.