Fat Content

geoff200 · #1 (**permalink**) 4th January 2010, 16:12

Are the Wax moths considered high in fat as is the case with the Wax larvae?

I was wondering if some of the fat might get used up during the change from larvae to pupae to Moth.

I hear the larvae are also high in protein.

I wonder how much of this is dependant on their diet. In the wild this would be bees wax aswell as honey. In captivity they are raised on bran and honey.

One other thing: just how much of a problem is a high fat diet to an insect like a mantis?

Birdfly · #2 (**permalink**) 4th January 2010, 16:56

Hard to say for sure? i would imagine not though as the larvae is a storage device for the imago. The adult moth not needing to store so much and having a smaller body and gonads for reproduction (which the caterpillar doesn't have or need) just my thoughts

chun · #3 (**permalink**) 5th January 2010, 01:15

waxmoths have non-functioning mouthparts, so can not feed as adults. Larvae therefore need to eat and accumulate as much fat and protein as possible to develop into adults and ALSO have enough energy reserves left to fly to look for mates and to breed. Flying is very energetically demanding, and as adults can not renew their carbohydrate and protein source by feeding, such energy needs to be accumulated by converting as much of the carbohydrate/protein to fat as possible during the larval stages (with functioning mouthparts) because fat is one of the most efficient way to store energy. This applies to the majority of lepidopterans.

Another breeder is convinced that waxmoths were the cause of infertility in Idolomorpha. This is based on his experience and speculations, so i do not know how much this holds true, so only take it with a pinch of salt.