Backyard bugs

[jbherpin]

What "bugs" should I avoid when finding varied feeders? I like to use slugs, worms, and Rolie-Polies(Pill Bugs). I see a lot of small beetles and their grubs, but I never get them for fear of mouth parts, hard shells, etc. Is there a good rule about what backyard bugs to use? Thanks in advance!

-jbherpin-

 

[Coastal Groovin]

Stay aways from brightly colored insects that are red and orange and don't use anything that eats toxic plants. Like yellow butterflies, monarchs, anthing eating milkweed or tomatoes. I use all kind of grubs that i find. I haven't had a problem with any beetle grubs. I stay away from the beetles because of the hard shells. I also use ant larvae. I feed them to my small granulosa, and my small axies. They are also good fish food.

 

[jbherpin]

Thanks for the tip! Are pill-bugs nutrtionally sound?

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Stay aways from brightly colored insects that are red and orange and don't use anything that eats toxic plants. Like yellow butterflies, monarchs, anything eating milkweed or tomatoes. I use all kind of grubs that i find. I haven't had a problem with any beetle grubs. I stay away from the beetles because of the hard shells. I also use ant larvae. I feed them to my small granulosa, and my small axies. They are also good fish food.

Bill has hit the nail on the head. Just like with caudates, bright colors mean foul tasting at the very least and deadly toxic at the worst. Avoid any insect brightly colored, avoid anything with hairs, tubercles, metallic sheen or spikes. Avoid true bugs, like stink bugs and assassin bugs. Crickets, Grasshoppers, katydids and most flies are open season. Cutworms, corn worms, and yard grubs are open season also. Cicadas, freshly hatched and still soft are a favorite of my critters. keep in mind this list is moot if the yard area has been chemically treated in anyway. Oh, and don't forget the earthworms!

Thanks for the tip! Are pill-bugs nutritionally sound?

I have found that some species relish both forms of wood louse (pill bugs and the trilobyte looking ones I have forgotten the name of) and others spit them out instantly. If your critters eat them, I wouldn't use them as a staple, but as always, a varied diet makes for healthy animals.

 

[jbherpin]

Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate it.

-jbherpin-

 

[superfin]

If it's an aquatic amphibian you can feed It a few mosquito larvae.My fire bellies go nuts over them




Chris:wacko: