The Complete Feeder Insect Comparison Chart (2026)
Matt Goren
The Complete Feeder Insect Comparison Chart (2026)
This is the definitive side-by-side comparison of every common feeder insect available for reptiles, amphibians, and other insectivorous pets. Bookmark this page — it is the single most useful reference for making feeding decisions.
| Feeder | Protein | Fat | Moisture | Ca:P | Chitin | Dusting? | Best Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discoid Roaches | 20% | 7% | 65% | 0.77:1 | Moderate | Yes | Daily protein staple |
| Silkworms | 9% | 1% | 83% | 0.77:1 | None | Yes | Low-fat premium supplement |
| BSFL | 17% | 14% | 61% | 6.92:1 | Low | No | Calcium supplement |
| Hornworms | 9% | 3% | 85% | 3.07:1 | Minimal | Optional | Hydration treat |
| Dubia Roaches | 23% | 7% | 61% | 0.74:1 | Moderate | Yes | Protein staple (illegal in FL) |
| Crickets | 15-21% | 6% | 73% | 0.13:1 | Moderate | Yes (heavily) | Budget staple (smell, noise, bites) |
| Mealworms | 20% | 13% | 62% | 0.04:1 | High | Yes (heavily) | Occasional supplement (adults only) |
| Superworms | 20% | 18% | 58% | 0.16:1 | Very high | Yes | Rare treat (adults only) |
| Waxworms | 14% | 25% | 58% | 0.13:1 | Low | Yes | Very rare treat (addictive) |
The Four-Feeder Rotation
For most insectivorous reptiles, we recommend this rotation for complete nutrition:
- Daily protein: Discoid roaches — the lean, clean protein staple
- 2-3x/week low-fat: Silkworms — the lowest fat with serrapeptase enzyme
- 1-2x/week calcium: BSFL — the highest calcium, no dusting needed
- 1-2x/week hydration: Hornworms — the highest moisture with excellent calcium
This rotation covers protein (roaches), low-fat premium nutrition (silkworms), calcium (BSFL), and hydration (hornworms). Each feeder fills a niche the others cannot.
Key Takeaways
- Best overall daily staple: Discoid roaches (highest protein at moderate fat, gut-loadable, no smell/noise)
- Lowest fat: Silkworms at 1% — 13x leaner than mealworms
- Highest calcium: BSFL at 9,340 mg/kg — the only feeder that needs no dusting
- Most hydrating: Hornworms at 85% moisture
- Worst Ca:P ratio: Mealworms at 0.04:1 — phosphorus-heavy, MBD risk
- Most dangerous treat: Waxworms at 25% fat — highly addictive to many reptiles
Shop all premium feeders at All Angles Creatures — shipped from Florida with our live arrival guarantee.
— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures
Published · last updated