Superworms

Live superworms for sale in counts of 100 to 1,000. Superworms are the larvae of the beetle Zophobas morio. They are big, active larvae for larger lizards such as adult bearded dragons, and VCA Animal Hospitals lists them among the insects a leopard gecko can eat in smaller numbers.

Superworm nutrition

In Mark Finke's published analyses, superworm larvae measure 57.9% moisture, 19.7% protein and 17.7% fat as fed. That is more fat than mealworms at 13.4% and less than waxworms at 24.9%. Superworms carry far more phosphorus than calcium, at about 1:13.4, so gut load and dust them before you feed. A 2015 analysis found superworms fell short on more nutrients than crickets or mealworms once their fat and energy were counted.

How often to feed superworms

The veterinary authors at VCA Animal Hospitals advise feeding superworms sparingly and not daily, because the fat can cause obesity. Use them to add variety, and keep a lower-fat staple such as dubia roaches for most meals. Pick a superworm no longer than the gap between your reptile's eyes. The best feeder insects for bearded dragons guide shows where treats fit in a weekly diet.

How to gut load and store superworms

Keep superworms at room temperature. Don't refrigerate them. Serve gut load food in a shallow dish, never as bedding. When researchers used a high-calcium diet as bedding for 48 hours, every superworm died. In a dish, deaths fell below 1%. In a 2017 study, two days on a high-calcium cricket feed raised superworm calcium enough to meet a laboratory rat calcium standard. Our guide on how to gut load feeder insects has the details.

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 superworms 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 superworms

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.