Bagworms?

[-db-]

Does anyone know if bagworms are bad to feed a Chinese mantid? My one evergreen is infested with them and they are actually killing the tree. They look like a grub and live inside a cocoon made from the evergreen. They look like they would be plump and juicy to eat and it would be nice to put them to good use! But...my mantid is doing so good, I don't want to jeopardize his health. Thanks for any advice!!

 

[Ranitomeya]

Most coniferous plants have volatile chemicals that make them distasteful or even toxic to many herbivores except for those that have evolved a method of dealing with the chemicals.

I would avoid insects that feed on plants with defensive chemicals. In the insect world, herbivores can take "you are what you eat" quite seriously and store plant chemicals within themselves as a defense.

 

[-db-]

Thanks for the info! I think I will stick to the usual grasshoppers.

 

[hibiscusmile]

I fed some to my mantis, didnt' seem to hurt them.