Wax Worm Maintenance

From 2-21-15.

I made more food for the wax worms to be used in propagation of their next generation. I believe this is about the third or fourth generation of wax worms that I will have that were originally purchased from a pet store. The WW diet ingredients and instructions were designed by Ben M. of the Fisher lab.

Ingredients Needed:

16 oz of Gerber baby food (or equivalent), whole wheat or multigrain

50 g wheat bran or crushed bran flakes

120 mL sterile ddH2O

170 mL Glycerin or Glycerol

100 g Table sugar

800 uL Amphotericin B (to protect food from mold)

Instructions:
1. Heat water and glycerin/glycerol in flask on hot plate using stir bar
2. Add sugar to the hot liquid and continue to spin until all is dissolved
3. Add 800 uL amphotericin B
4. Mix baby food and crushed bran flakes together
5. Add the liquid and stir in quickly
6. Diet should be consistent without lumps.

WaxWorm diet

Prepared diet was stored at room temperature until use.

//EWW