Choosing the Right Feeders for Your Insectivore
Feeder insects are the foundation of diet for insectivorous and omnivorous reptiles. Choosing the right insects matters more than most keepers realize: feeders vary widely in calcium content, protein quality, fat content, and digestibility. A leopard gecko fed exclusively mealworms develops different long-term health outcomes than one fed varied dubia roaches, crickets, and BSFL. This page catalogs every feeder insect in our database with the nutritional data needed to build a balanced insect rotation.
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio matters even for feeders, despite the focus on it being more visible with plant foods. Most feeder insects have inverted Ca:P ratios — crickets are roughly 1:8, mealworms about 1:14. The exceptions are black soldier fly larvae (BSFL or 'Phoenix Worms'), which sit at about 1.5:1 naturally — making them the only feeder that delivers net calcium without supplementation. For all other feeders, calcium dusting before feeding is essential.
Gut-loading transforms cheap feeders into nutrient-dense meals. Feed your insects high-calcium, vitamin-rich foods (collard greens, mulberry leaves, commercial gut-load formulas) for 24-48 hours before offering them. The insect's digestive tract carries those nutrients into your reptile. Gut-loading is more impactful than supplement dusting alone — both together provide the best nutritional delivery.
Fat content varies dramatically. Lean feeders (dubia roaches, crickets, BSFL, silkworms) suit most species. Higher-fat feeders (mealworms, superworms, waxworms) work as occasional treats but cause hepatic lipidosis if relied on as staples. Pinheads, fruit flies, and other tiny feeders work for hatchlings and small species. Match the feeder to your species' size, activity level, and metabolic needs.