Feeding insects: choosing the right one according to their nutritional qualities

🦗 Feeding insects: choose well according to their nutritional qualities

In terrariophilia, food is a fundamental pillar of animal well-being. Not all feeding insects have the same nutritional values. Some are perfect on a daily basis, others should remain occasional. Here is a comprehensive guide to fully understand the differences between the main insects used to feed your reptiles.

📊 Comparative table of feeding insects

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🟢 Base = Can be used regularly
🟡 Complement = To be used in rotation
🔴 Sweet treat = To be strongly limited

🐛 Detail of the feeding insects

House cricket (Acheta domesticus)

Very good protein/lipid balance, low in fat, excellent digestibility. Well accepted by the majority of insectivorous reptiles. Low in calcium → supplementation required. Great as a food base.

Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria)

Similar to the cricket but more meaty. Very popular with selective reptiles. It feeds on plants, so easy to gutload. To be used alternately with crickets.

Dubia cockroach (Blaptica dubia)

Very nutritious, rich in protein, but also fattier. Slow, easy to manage, perfect for growth or reproduction phases. To be avoided in excess in sedentary animals.

Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)

Prey that is very fatty and low in calcium. Its cuticle is difficult to digest as an adult. To be reserved as a treat or as an occasional addition.

Hive moth (Galleria mellonella)

Extremely fatty, palatable and useful for restarting the diet in a weak or recovering animal. Can be addictive quickly. To give in an exceptional way.

🌿 The crucial importance of gutloading

The Gutloading consists of Feeding insects with a rich and balanced diet before distributing them. This makes it possible to enrich their real nutritional value (calcium, vitamins, minerals) and to make them an optimal source of nutrition for your reptiles.

✅ Recommended formulas:

• Repashy SuperLoad : very rich in calcium, minerals and carotenoids. Reference among professional breeders.
• Arcadia InsectFuel : vegetable formula enriched with probiotics, very well assimilated.
• Komodo Gutload/BugGrub : other effective alternatives.

🥦 Homemade alternatives:

• Fresh vegetables: carrot, zucchini, sweet potato, Romaine salad (avoid the iceberg)
• Dry mixes: bran, oats, ground seeds
• Supplementation: pinch of calcium without D3 + light vitamins

💡 A well-fed insect = a well-fed reptile.
Not gutloading anything is like giving away an empty bag.