Spodoptera exigua

[agent A]

hey all,

so I rear a moth for feeding to mantises and made a video about it



if anyone wants pupae to try and start your own colony, let me know!!

 

[Introvertebrate]

Are these a good alternative to waxworms and their moths?  I'll watch the whole video at home.  I don’t have the time at work.

 

[agent A]

Are these a good alternative to waxworms and their moths?  I'll watch the whole video at home.  I don’t have the time at work.

yes

 

[Introvertebrate]

Looks interesting.  About 80% of that was over my head.  I want your job though.

 

[Introvertebrate]

Since these are such polyphagous critters, it occurred to me that a commercial fruit fly medium might work for.  Good media, like Repashy, usually include some type of mold inhibitor.  I'm not sure about any bacterial inhibitors though.

 

[Introvertebrate]

I found an artificial medium source:

https://insectrearing.com/product/beet-armyworm-spodoptera-exigua/

......and some eggs.  A little pricey at $31, and apparently you need a permit to purchase pest animals through official channels:

https://insectrearing.com/product/beet-armyworm-eggs/

 

[agent A]

I found an artificial medium source:

https://insectrearing.com/product/beet-armyworm-spodoptera-exigua/

......and some eggs.  A little pricey at $31, and apparently you need a permit to purchase pest animals through official channels:

https://insectrearing.com/product/beet-armyworm-eggs/

i can send you pupae if you want

 

[Introvertebrate]

I appreciate that Alex.  Right now I’m still in the daydreaming phase with all this.  I’ll let you know when I’m ready.  I think it’s cool that we have a legit entomologist on the board.  It gives us credibility.

Tom.