I was wondering how horned tomato caterpillar are for feeding my emps.At the pet shop they say these are 100's of times more nutritious than crickets.

Just wondering what you guys think.

well they're diets are the same right? They are just bigger so it's hard to say I would say they aren't 100 times more nutritious but thats just my opinion not fact.

Most pet stores don't know squat.

I've never seen anyone list these things as feeders -- I tried rearing some myself so I could try my "fried green tomato hornworms" recipe and they were just such a pain in the butt to rear because they eat so much.

I did feed one or two to a pet mantid, and she loved 'em. I also know of at least one hobbyist who fed one to his Androctonus mauritanicus. So scorps CAN eat them, but I really don't think they're worth the hassle.

Sorry for posting in the wrong section and thanks for your input Mike.

They charged 2$ a worm so I dont think I'll be getting any since I can get 20 crickets for that price

TOTALLY not worth it. I got a bunch of eggs for a few bucks from a biological supply co. (Of course, I can't tell you how much I spent on tomato plants to feed the buggers!)

Wow alot of pet stores are crooks eh

I would bet they are more water than anything. I have seen comparisons of what the best feeder bug are based on protein, moisture, calcium and ash content...roaches were the best. They didn't include horned tomato catepillars, but at $2 a pop I'd go with roaches or crickets.

They do make good feeders but sinmce they're so big they usually end up going unfinished....not worth it.
Mike you have seen these used as feeders Thaedion had a pic up.

Eddy, didn't you read what I said?

Mr. Mordax wrote:

Most pet stores don't know squat. I've never seen anyone list these things as feeders -- I tried rearing some myself so I could try my "fried green tomato hornworms" recipe and they were just such a pain in the butt to rear because they eat so much. I did feed one or two to a pet mantid, and she loved 'em. I also know of at least one hobbyist who fed one to his Androctonus mauritanicus. So scorps CAN eat them, but I really don't think they're worth the hassle.

By "I've never seen anyone list these things as feeders" I meant "I've never seen them listed for sale / advertised as feeders."

Probably should have clarified.

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pfff.....w.e

I got a pack of these a while back to try out. Most of my inverts wouldn't touch them. My geckos, however, at them like they were goin out of style.