Butterworm

Butterworm
Chilecomadia moorei
A butterworm compared in size to a Canadian penny
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Hexapoda
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Cossidae
Genus: Chilecomadia
Species: C. moorei
Binomial name
Chilecomadia moorei
(Silva Figueroa, 1915)
Synonyms
  • Langsdorfia moorei Silva Figueroa, 1915

The Chilean Moth (Chilecomadia moorei) is a moth of the Cossidae family. The Butterworm is the larval form and is commonly used as fishing bait in South America.[1]

Butterworms, like mealworms, are used as food for Insectivore pets, such as geckos and other reptiles, as their scent and bright color help attract the more stubborn eaters. They are also called tebro worms or trevo worms, and are high in fat and calcium. Tortoises may even be fed Butterworms due to the high calcium content. It is a good idea to feed a female tortoise Butterworms during egg development for well formed hatchlings. They are difficult to breed in captivity, and most are imported directly from Chile. They are usually irradiated to kill bacteria and prevent pupation.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "The Incredible Edible Worm", by Audrey Pavia, Reptiles Magazine, July, 2007
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