Dermestid larvae as feeders?

[vyadha]

Hey all

Im new to Mantids but not insects. I have a hisser colony, a mealworm colony, a few dozen assassins and a huge dermestid colony. Im not looking to feed the ghosts dermestids but Im curious if I can use these as feeders for future mantids.

Anyone have any experience or thoughts?

 

[Rick]

They are valuable in cleaning skulls and others bones. I suppose if you have that many of them you could but not something I would think mantids would go for. You could probably  make money selling them. 

 

[Introvertebrate]

Hey all

Im new to Mantids but not insects. I have a hisser colony, a mealworm colony, a few dozen assassins and a huge dermestid colony. Im not looking to feed the ghosts dermestids but Im curious if I can use these as feeders for future mantids.

Anyone have any experience or thoughts?

Would you mind my asking what you feed the dermestids to keep the colony going?

 

[vyadha]

I do a fair bit of hunting so they get lots of meaty bones and skulls. I keep a lot of meat scraps for them. 

Ive heard of people using dry dog food as well. 

 

[vyadha]

They are valuable in cleaning skulls and others bones. I suppose if you have that many of them you could but not something I would think mantids would go for. You could probably  make money selling them. 

Yeah i use them mostly for skull cleaning. I have a lot of them. I offered them to the ghosts but they weren’t interested.

 

[hysteresis]

Yeah i use them mostly for skull cleaning.

Your students must be terrified of failing your courses!

 

[vyadha]

Your students must be terrified of failing your courses!

Hahahahaaaa! The assassin bugs keep them in line!

 

[Introvertebrate]

I do a fair bit of hunting so they get lots of meaty bones and skulls. I keep a lot of meat scraps for them. 

Ive heard of people using dry dog food as well. 

Got it.  Thanks.