One of the most vital minerals for leopard geckos is calcium, and black soldier fly larvae are pretty rich in it. As such, you might think of giving this insect to the insectivorous pet lizard. But is black soldier fly larvae ideal for leopard geckos?
Can leopard geckos feed on Nutrigrubs?
Yes, leopard geckos can eat black soldier fly larvae. These insects are packed with proteins and calcium, which is vital for the effective growth of the lizard. As such, it is ideal that you include these insects, among others, in the lizard’s diet for nutritional balance.
Black soldier fly larvae, also called Nutrigrubs, are small-sized insects that are popularly becoming a meal choice among leopard gecko owners. They are soldier fly’s larvae stage hence the tiny size. Below is an in-depth look at why Nutrigrubs are an excellent addition to your leopard gecko’s diet.
3 Benefits of Black Soldier Fly Larvae for Leopard Geckos:
Rich In Calcium
As mentioned above, calcium is one of the most critical minerals for leopard geckos as it facilitates effective bone growth and development, among other crucial body functions.
Luckily, Nutrigrubs are rich in calcium and have significantly higher amounts than most other insects.
The calcium content is so high that you don’t need to dust the black soldier fly larvae with a calcium supplement.
Besides being an ideal staple, these insects are also good for a leopard gecko suffering from calcium deficiency, as they provide extra calcium to bridge the deficit.
Easy to Breed
Black soldier fly larvae are easy to feed and maintain. These insects eat almost anything, including manure, food waste, and decaying organic matter, which are easy to find. In addition, these insects require minimal maintenance, and you can keep them in the can they come in.
Affordable
Leopard geckos have a long lifespan, so the cost of food can be expensive in the long run. Luckily, black soldier fly larvae are pretty affordable. In addition, they are readily available in pet stores.
Drawbacks of Black Soldier Fly Larvae for Leopard Geckos
Too Tiny
Leopard gecko insects should not be too big since they can choke the lizard or make it hard for the pet lizard to eat. Black soldier fly larvae are tiny but too tiny for some leopard geckos. As such, your pet lizard might not identify them as food or be interested in them due to their small size.
Short Lifespan
Leopard geckos do not eat so many insects, especially when small. In addition, you will include several other insects in the gecko’s diet for variety and achieve a balanced diet. Sadly, black soldier fly larvae have a short lifespan of 10 to 28 days, and such can lead to wastage.
Ideal Number of Black Soldier Fly Larvae to Feed a Leopard Gecko
For a healthy leopard gecko, you should give it 2 black soldier fly larvae for each inch of the lizard. For instance, if your leopard gecko measures 6 inches, then you should give it 12 insects.
An expert might recommend that you give the pet a higher number if it suffers from calcium deficiency.
Another general guide is to give the lizard not more than 10 black soldier fly larvae measuring a quarter inch daily if the lizard is 4 months and below. For those aged between 4 and 10 months, you may give them the same number as the babies, but the insects should be bigger, measuring about half an inch 6 days a week.
As for adult leopard geckos, giving them up to 15 black soldier fly larvae of not more than three-quarter inches in length thrice a week is safe.
How Often Should I Feed My Leopard Gecko with Black Soldier Fly Larvae?
These insects are an ideal staple for leopard geckos. As such, you can give them daily to baby leopard geckos, up to 6 days a week for juveniles and about 2 to 3 days a week for adult leopard geckos.
How To Store Black Soldier Fly Larvae
There’s a significant chance that the number of insects you buy will be more than enough for one feed. Hence, it is good to know how to properly store these insects to prevent them from dying.
Luckily, black soldier fly larvae are easy to care for since they don’t need feeding.
Keep them in the can that they come in at room temperature. With a lifespan of up to 28 days, you may want to keep them for more than 14 weeks, in which case you will need to store them in a cooler area to lengthen their lifespan.
When held in a cool place, always allow the insects to stay at room temperature for a while before offering them to your pet leopard gecko.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Black Soldier Fly Larvae Bite?
Black soldier fly larvae do not bite, nor are they poisonous. It is one of the key reasons they are an ideal choice for your pet leopard gecko and several other pet reptiles. Even so, it is worth noting that they sometimes create a buzzing sound.
What Is the Lifespan of Black Soldier Fly Larvae?
Depending on several factors, the larvae stage of this insect can last for between 10 and 28 days before it turns into the pupae stage, which lasts an average of 14 days. As such, it is ideal that you only buy black soldier fly larvae that the lizard can eat within an average of 20 days before they turn into pupae.
Do Leopard Geckos Eat Larvae?
Yes, leopard geckos eat the larvae stage of various insects. They also feed on various worms, but you must verify if the insect is ideal before offering it to the lizard. Even so, all wild insects at any stage are unsuitable for leopard geckos as they tend to carry toxins such as pesticides or parasites.
Conclusion
Black soldier fly larvae are ideal for leopard geckos. They are rich in calcium and proteins hence beneficial to the pet. In addition, they will not strain you financially since they are affordable and easy to breed.
You can provide them frequently to your pet lizard alongside other nutritional insects such as crickets and dubia roaches to give your pet leopard gecko a balanced diet.