An Introduction To The Wax Worm

Wax worms are quite a useful and fascinating insect, right down to their name. The name does not suggest that they're made of wax, as some might be naturally inclined to think. They have a habit of eating beeswax, the natural material bees use to build their honeycombs, which is the way they received their unusual name. They are also known to readily eat pollen and honey as a main food source. Naturally then, they're normally found nestled in bee colonies and in other places of apiculture. They are actually wax moths during the larvae stage. When bred commercially they have a plethora of uses as food, bait and subjects of research.

These larvae are a fantastic food source for a multitude of reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, rodents and also carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap and this is their most common use. They are rich in the essential macronutrients needed for good nutrition, which makes them the most sought after treat for terrarium, cage and pond dwellers. They need minimal upkeep, are simple to breed, easy to digest and can be stored alive for prolonged amounts of time. When pet owners store the larvae, there is no need to feed them, because the food given to them will mold and their life expectancy will be reduced. They can be stored in the container they're purchased in for the optimal life span of four to five weeks, or they may be refrigerated if needed and be given a life span of approximately three weeks.

To achieve the longest life expectancy possible, they should be stored in a dry and cool place at approximately sixty degrees. Another very common use for wax worms is fish bait. They are arguably the best live fish bait available because of the attractive movement on the hook as well as the fat content they provide. In all types of fishing, from shallow river fishing to frigid ice fishing, both casual and experienced fisherman find them fantastic. As with using them for pet food, keeping them from moisture and heat will assure they stay lively in water to attract that big catch.

Scientific testing is one of the more recent and unorthodox ways to use these larvae. In various types of experiments, particularly those which involve the study of microbial pathogens, these larvae have started to take the place of mammals. It was found that insects have an immune system that closely resembles that of a mammal. From both a price and an ethics point of view, this is quite valuable because it enables researchers to test larger numbers of harmful strains of bacteria or fungus.

It is important that the wax worms are free of pests and parasites, regardless of what they will be used for. Mites can easily infest a colony of your live food or bait. Infestation needs to be avoided as once this occurs the animals that are given the food can be harmed and if transferred to the fish that may be eaten, people can be harmed too. If it appears the colony is dying, it is essential that they simply be discarded because the entire colony has almost certainly been exposed. You can get larvae from a pet shop and can even have them shipped directly to you. The second option will most likely be a better option with regards to price and quality, since they are usually sold in bulk from an organic farm. Both methods will most likely be guaranteed to be sold to you disease and parasite free.

There isn't any question that these insects have a large number of very useful applications, from providing diversity in your best friend's diet, to making the world a safer place for people and lots of things in between.