Best Feeder Insects for Leopard Geckos (Ranked)

The Best Feeder Insects for Leopard Geckos, Ranked

Leopard geckos are strict insectivores — unlike bearded dragons, they don't eat vegetables, fruits, or any plant matter. That means 100% of their nutrition comes from the insects you provide, which makes choosing the right feeders critically important. A poor feeder rotation leads to nutritional deficiencies, obesity, or metabolic bone disease. A good one keeps your leo healthy, active, and thriving for 15-20+ years.

This ranking evaluates feeder insects based on nutritional value, appropriate sizing, digestibility, safety, and convenience specifically for leopard geckos. We sell discoid roaches, but we'll be honest about every feeder on this list.

#1: Small to Medium Discoid Roaches

Protein: ~20% | Fat: ~7% | Moisture: ~65%

Discoid roach nymphs are the ideal staple feeder for leopard geckos. They deliver high protein with moderate fat — the perfect macronutrient balance for a species prone to obesity. Small nymphs work for juveniles, while medium nymphs suit most adults perfectly.

Discoid roaches move at the perfect speed for leopard geckos — slow enough to catch easily but active enough to trigger the hunting instinct. They can't climb the glass walls of a terrarium, so they stay on the floor where your gecko hunts. They don't bite, don't smell, and don't make noise. And they gut-load exceptionally well, holding nutrients for 24-48 hours.

Best for: Daily staple feeding at all life stages. Use small nymphs for juveniles, medium for adults.

Downsides: Higher per-unit cost than mealworms or crickets. Some leos need a feeding session or two to recognize them as food if they've only ever eaten mealworms.

#2: Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL / Calciworms)

Protein: ~17% | Fat: ~14% | Calcium: ~934mg/100g

BSFL are a game-changer for leopard gecko nutrition because of their extraordinary natural calcium content. At nearly 1,000 mg of calcium per 100 grams, they provide calcium supplementation built right into the feeder — no dusting required. For a species as prone to metabolic bone disease as leopard geckos, this is enormously valuable.

Best for: Regular supplemental feeding 2-3 times per week alongside a roach staple. Especially valuable for juvenile leos during rapid growth and for breeding females with high calcium demands.

Downsides: Higher fat than roaches. Small size means adults need many to make a meal. Relatively sedentary — some leos ignore them because they don't move enough to trigger a feeding response. Try offering them in a small dish that concentrates their wriggling movement.

#3: Mealworms

Protein: ~20% | Fat: ~13% | Moisture: ~62%

Mealworms are the classic leopard gecko feeder, and for good reason: leos love them, they're widely available, cheap, and incredibly easy to store (just keep them in the fridge, where they enter a dormant state and last for weeks). Most leopard gecko keepers have used mealworms at some point.

Best for: Regular supplemental feeding or convenient backup feeder. Most adult leos eat mealworms enthusiastically, and their ease of storage makes them a practical pantry staple.

Downsides: Fat content (13%) is nearly double that of discoid roaches — fine as part of a rotation but problematic as a sole staple. Tough chitin exoskeleton can be harder to digest than softer feeders. Unlike roaches, mealworms don't gut-load as effectively because they have smaller digestive tracts relative to body size.

#4: Silkworms

Protein: ~9% | Fat: ~1% | Moisture: ~83%

Silkworms are a premium feeder with exceptionally low fat content and very high moisture. They're soft-bodied, easy to digest, and contain serrapeptase — an enzyme that may support digestive health. Leopard geckos typically find their slow, wriggling movement irresistible.

Best for: Supplemental feeding 1-2 times per week. Excellent for overweight leos that need a low-fat option, for hydration support, and for picky eaters that refuse other feeders.

Downsides: Low protein makes them a poor sole staple. Expensive and harder to source consistently. Short shelf life — they need mulberry-based food and don't survive long at room temperature. Seasonal availability can be inconsistent.

#5: Hornworms

Protein: ~9% | Fat: ~3% | Moisture: ~85%

Hornworms are the hydration heroes of the feeder insect world. At 85% moisture, they're essentially water delivery systems wrapped in protein. Leopard geckos are desert animals that often don't drink enough from water dishes, so hornworms provide meaningful hydration supplementation. Their bright blue-green color and active movement trigger strong feeding responses.

Best for: Occasional treat and hydration boost, once or twice per week. Particularly useful during shedding cycles when hydration supports healthy skin separation.

Downsides: Too much moisture and too little protein for regular use. They grow extremely fast — a small hornworm becomes too large for a leopard gecko within days if not refrigerated to slow growth. Size management is the biggest practical challenge. Only offer hornworms that are no wider than the space between your gecko's eyes.

#6: Superworms

Protein: ~20% | Fat: ~18% | Moisture: ~58%

Superworms offer good protein but come with significantly higher fat content than most other feeders on this list. They're larger and more active than mealworms, which makes them exciting prey for adult leos. Their tougher exoskeleton and larger size mean they should only be offered to fully grown adult leopard geckos.

Best for: Occasional treat for adult leos only — once a week or less. Good for adding variety and enrichment.

Downsides: Not safe for juvenile leopard geckos — too large and too tough. High fat content (18%) makes obesity a concern with regular use. Can bite if mishandled, and their stronger mandibles mean uneaten superworms in an enclosure pose a slight risk to sleeping geckos (though less than crickets).

#7: Crickets

Protein: ~15-21% | Fat: ~6% | Moisture: ~73%

Crickets are the most widely available feeder insect, sold at virtually every pet store. Nutritionally, they're adequate — protein is variable but generally in an acceptable range, and fat is low. They're active prey that stimulates hunting behavior in leopard geckos.

Best for: Emergency feeder when preferred options aren't available. Budget option for keepers who don't mind the downsides.

Downsides: Everything you've heard is true. They smell, chirp all night, die within days, escape easily, and will bite your leopard gecko if left uneaten in the enclosure. Their Ca:P ratio is among the worst of any feeder (0.13:1). For leopard geckos specifically — which are often kept in bedrooms — the noise and odor make crickets a particularly poor choice.

#8: Waxworms

Protein: ~14% | Fat: ~25% | Moisture: ~58%

Waxworms are candy for leopard geckos — irresistibly delicious and dangerously addictive. Many leos that are offered waxworms regularly will begin refusing all other feeders, holding out for more waxworms. This creates a serious feeding problem that can take weeks to resolve.

Best for: Very rare treat — once every two weeks at most. Useful for enticing sick or recently rehomed geckos that refuse other food, or for adding weight to underweight animals under veterinary guidance.

Downsides: Extremely high fat (25%), low protein, and genuinely addictive. Overuse causes obesity and food refusal. Many experienced leo keepers avoid waxworms entirely to prevent behavioral feeding issues.

Leopard Gecko Feeding Tips

Sizing Rule

Never offer a feeder insect wider than the space between your leopard gecko's eyes. This prevents choking and impaction, which leopard geckos are particularly susceptible to.

Feeding Frequency

• Juveniles (0-6 months): Feed daily, as many appropriately sized insects as they'll eat in 15 minutes
• Sub-adults (6-12 months): Feed every other day, 5-8 insects per session
• Adults (12+ months): Feed every 2-3 days, 5-8 insects per session

Supplementation

Dust feeders with calcium powder (with D3) at every feeding for juveniles and every other feeding for adults. Use a multivitamin dust once per week. Keep a small dish of plain calcium powder in the enclosure at all times — many leos will lick it voluntarily when they need extra calcium.

Ideal Weekly Rotation (Adult Leo)

• 2-3 feedings: Discoid roach nymphs (staple)
• 1 feeding: Mealworms or BSFL (variety and calcium)
• Occasional: Silkworm, hornworm, or superworm for enrichment

Give your leopard gecko the varied, nutritious diet it deserves. Browse our leopard gecko feeder collection for perfectly sized insects delivered with our live arrival guarantee.

— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures