Calci-Worms are very new to us in the UK. We’ve heard a lot of good things about them from America where they have been used for a long time. Over there they are branded as Phoenix Worms or Soldier Grubs, you may have heard of them.
Calci-Worm
But what are Calci-Worms? Calci-Worms are the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). As larvae they store high levels of calcium for future pupation as they change into adult flies. As well as being high in calcium, they are also high in fat and protein making them an extremely rich and nutritious diet.
I see Calci-Worms more as a weekly treat rather than a daily diet. Or, for ‘feeding up’ recently poorly pets or females that have recently produced eggs, a health booster if you like.
Black Soldier Fly
As with any new food, it MUST pass the taste test! So, I put some small Calci-Worms in with some 4 week old bearded dragons to see what they think. This is genuinely the first time they have ever seen these, so they are a little confused at first! The video is below… I think Calci-Worms look like a superb food, but I’d love to hear what you think so please try some and get back to me :-).
Click to visit the site and try new Calci-Worms
Use voucher code calciworm10121010 to get 10% off one box of Calci-Worms until the end of October 2010*.
*one box per customer. UK customers only. Expires end October 2010.
It is so cute how they all go up and slowly try some. Like they are egging eachother on. These look like a better supplement to waxworms so i will be getting these!
Ben
Both have their merits, it’s good to be able to offer more variety
Both have their merits, it’s good to be able to offer more variety
I love that video, love it when bearded dragons eat! It looks like they really enjoyed them 🙂 definately want to give them a go!
Kirt
They looked, wondered what they were, then NOM NOM NOM
great news i have been trying to get hold of these for months.i can’t wait until they are delivered as i have 50 baby vailed chameleons lining up tongues at the ready.
I can vouch for the fact that baby chams like them, a lot.
Very good first feeding response… yup I guess I’ll be ordering some of these.
Great vid too.
Thanks, let us know how you get on!
we will definetely be getting some of these from you, our dragons are doing so well and it’s thanks to the great advice and help you have given, thank you
that’s very nice of you to say Nancy, glad they are doing so well!!
They’re not especially new to the UK as Pollywogs were importing them from the States and selling them under the name “Calci-grubs” some 3-4 years ago.
My dragon loved them 🙂
you’re dead right, I guess I meant new to the ‘main stream’. Glad we’ve got a good supply now cause ours love them too!
hhahhaahahahaha those beardies looked starvin lolol
how much will these be priced at cause im in kettering will need to order offline but they look GREAT!!!!:):)
They are on this page James 🙂 http://www.reptilecentre.com/grubs_c34512_34576.htm
I ordered some to feed my leopard gecko and she just loves them and can’t get enough. My local pet store is getting a huge supply in by next Wednesday. The Phoenix worm is high in nutrition: Fiber, Protein, Calcium and perfect balance ratio of calcium and phosphorus ( reptiles do need phosphorus for bone formation and the calcium to strengthen), but you still have to dust with calcium with D3 for the absorption and utilization of calcium. Other names for the Phoenix worm is that companies put a spin on are: soldier grub, calciworm. No need to dust or gut load, just feed as many as your reptile can eat and only do this once a week, 2 times a week dust with calcium with D3 on crickets and small medium mealworms.