Hornworms

Live hornworms for sale in packs of 25. Hornworms are the larvae of the tobacco hornworm moth, Manduca sexta. They are soft-bodied, bright green and wet. The veterinary feeding handout from VCA Animal Hospitals lists hornworms as suitable animal protein for bearded dragons, alongside dubia roaches, crickets, mealworms and silkworms.

Hornworm nutrition

We could not find a peer-reviewed nutrient analysis of hornworms, so we don't publish protein, fat or calcium numbers for them. Treat them like the other soft-bodied feeders. Dust them with a phosphorus-free calcium powder before feeding, and feed them as one part of a varied diet. VCA recommends a wide variety of foods for balanced nutrition, and insectivores fed only a narrow range of insects may be more likely to develop deficiencies.

Feeding hornworms to bearded dragons

Pick a hornworm no longer than the gap between your dragon's eyes. Offer only as many as it eats in one sitting, and remove leftovers. Use hornworms to add variety next to a staple such as dubia roaches. The best feeder insects for bearded dragons guide compares the common feeders and gives feeding schedules by age.

Shipping and live arrival

Orders ship sometime between Sunday and Wednesday to the lower 48 states and DC. We may hold an order when heat or cold on the route puts live insects at risk. If any hornworms arrive dead, email photos or video within 1 hour of delivery, and we resend a qualifying order once at no cost. Details are on our shipping page.

Subscribe and save on hornworms

Subscribe and save 15% on deliveries every 1, 2 or 3 months. Subscription deliveries of $35 or more ship free, and you can skip, pause or cancel from your account. Pet stores and breeders can apply for a wholesale account.