caterpillar illness and mantids

[Sticky]

There is a terrible disease called grasserie. Once it gets into your home it is

hard to get rid of. Any new caterpillars you bring in die with hours. Can mantids get it from sick silkworms that have not shown signs yet?.

Wormspit.com is great site to go see better details than I can give you. Warning!

Some of the pictures are gruesome!

 

[MandellaMandy123]

I think that your mantids will be fine, but I wouldn't feed them the silkworms.

 

[Sublime64tothe42]

they will be fine don't worry. whatever yellow fungi looking stuff your silks have growing on their frass/dried food/silk piles, remove immediately. Most likely they will all die within 3-7 days. sorry.

 

[Sticky]

I don't have any silkworms, sorry about the confusion! I am curious about any possible future contaminants. I love the silkworms when I have them, they are so gentle and easy to handle. I made them make silk paper once. I am thinking of doing it again and giving the moths to my mantids. They would love them.

 

[MandellaMandy123]

Oh, ok I was like, you're unlucky to have gotten that in your silkworms!! Glad everything's all right.