Feeder Insect Nutritional Comparator
Side-by-side protein, fat, Ca:P ratio and moisture for 8 common feeders — not a single-number ranking.
Generic charts list cricket protein at one number and ignore that gutloading changes everything. We display baseline nutrition, gutloaded nutrition, and a Ca:P alert when the ratio is wrong.
Run the calculator
Comparison across 8 common feeder insects. Toggle to see baseline vs gutloaded values.
| Insect | Protein | Fat | Ca (mg/g) | Ca:P | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricket (Acheta) | 65% | 22% | 0.14 | 1.0:1 | Standard; widely available. Ca:P improves with gutload. |
| Dubia roach | 61% | 25% | 0.07 | 1.0:1 | Calmer than crickets; great staple for dragons. |
| Mealworm | 52% | 28% | 0.05 | 0.55:1 | High in fat, low in calcium. Always dust. |
| Superworm | 50% | 35% | 0.05 | 0.6:1 | Higher fat than mealworms; use as occasional. |
| Hornworm | 60% | 15% | 0.1 | 1.2:1 | High moisture, hydration + treat. |
| Silkworm | 65% | 10% | 0.1 | 1.7:1 | Naturally balanced; needs no dusting. |
| Black soldier fly larva | 55% | 18% | 1.4 | 1.5:1 | Naturally high Ca; great for dragons. |
| Waxworm | 35% | 55% | 0.04 | 0.5:1 | Treat only — very high in fat. |
Watch for
- Ca:P below 1.2:1 — always dust or gutload before feeding
- Fat above 30% — treat only, not a staple
- Single-insect diets — long-term metabolic risk
Staple candidates
- Silkworm — naturally balanced, low fat
- Black soldier fly larva — high natural calcium
- Gutloaded dubia — calm, clean, balanced
- Gutloaded cricket — classic, widely available
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How to use this tool
This tool is designed for a single session at a time. Open it before you feed, set up, or change anything in your reptile's enclosure — not after. The output is a starting point; verify with your own observation of the animal.
Inputs are kept simple on purpose. Where a more detailed input would not change the recommendation, we omit it. Where it would (for example, snake species, UVB type), we surface it as a dropdown.
The result panel updates as you change inputs. There is no submit button — adjust inputs and read the result. We do this because the relationship between inputs and outputs is usually smooth, not step-wise.
Who this tool is for
Anyone whose reptile diet is built around live insects and who is tired of conflicting 'best feeder' claims.
Limitations & when not to use
Numbers are typical averages from published lab data; actual nutrition depends on what the insect ate in the last 48 h. Use the gutload recipe builder for that.
Outputs are not validated against your specific animal's vet history. If your reptile is sick, gravid, recently imported, or under treatment, ignore the output and consult a reptile-experienced vet.
Numbers are typical ranges based on common husbandry guidance and published data. They are not measurements of your specific setup. Where it matters, the result includes a 'verify with' hint (for example, a Solarmeter reading, a calibrated scale, a vet visit).
Frequently asked questions
Why is Ca:P ratio so important?
Are silkworms really better?
Should I feed only one insect?
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About this tool
What this tool is. Pulls together published nutritional analyses of common feeder insects, including gutload and dust effects. Designed so the chart itself is the answer to 'which insect should I rotate in this week?'.
Why we built it. Herpwise collects scattered, often-conflicting reptile husbandry advice and turns it into specific, defensible recommendations. This tool exists because the feeding topic it covers is one where generic online advice is most often wrong or vague — keepers deserve a number, not a vibe.
Who built it. Herpwise is a small team of reptile keepers, breeders and software developers. We have kept (and made husbandry mistakes with) ball pythons, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, corn snakes, crested geckos, blue-tongue skinks, Russian and Hermann's tortoises, red-eared sliders, and several dart frogs. We are not veterinarians. Where a recommendation crosses into medical territory, we say so.
Limitations we accept. We do not collect data from you. We do not personalise across sessions. We do not replace a vet. We do not promise the perfect answer — we promise a defensible starting point, faster than reading five forum threads.
Privacy policy
Last updated. 2026. Effective immediately.
What we collect. Nothing personal. This tool runs entirely in your browser. We do not have a backend for these calculators — your inputs (species, weight, dimensions, etc.) never leave your device. There is no account, no login, no email capture, no analytics form on this page.
Cookies and local storage. We do not set any cookies for these tools. We do not use localStorage, sessionStorage, IndexedDB, or any other browser-side persistence. Closing the tab erases all input state.
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Changes to this policy. We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The 'last updated' date at the top of this section will reflect any changes.
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Disclaimer
Reference only. The information and tools provided on Herpwise are for general informational and educational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified reptile-experienced veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your animal's health or husbandry.
No professional relationship. Use of this site does not create a veterinarian-client, breeder-client, or any other professional relationship between you and Herpwise or any contributor. Reliance on any information provided by this site is solely at your own risk.
No warranty. Herpwise makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the outputs of these tools for any particular animal or situation. The outputs reflect typical husbandry guidance and may not be appropriate for your specific animal.
Keepers' responsibility. You are responsible for the welfare of your animals. Decisions about feeding, housing, medical care, and breeding should be made in consultation with appropriate professionals, and should take into account the individual animal's condition, history, and needs.
External links. This site may contain links to external websites for additional context (veterinary associations, breeder directories, manufacturer documentation). We do not endorse and are not responsible for the content of external sites.