Dried Silkworm Pupae 100g

Dried Silkworm Pupae — High-Protein Whole Insect Treat for Isopods, Millipedes & Snails

100% natural dried silkworm pupae, dehydrated using a delicate process that preserves most of the nutrients of live insects. Silkworm pupae are one of the most nutritionally dense whole-insect foods available — high in protein, rich in chitin, and naturally appealing to detritivores. Originally a staple food for reptiles and large fish, dried silkworm pupae have become a favourite high-value treat among isopod and millipede keepers.

100g resealable bag — a small amount goes a long way for invertebrate feeding.

Why Silkworm Pupae?

Silkworm pupae sit at the top of the protein-supplement ladder for invertebrate keeping. They're not a daily food — they're a high-value treat that delivers serious nutritional impact when offered occasionally:

48% crude protein. Comparable to fish flakes (46%) and slightly below daphnia (50%), but with a fundamentally different nutritional profile. The protein in silkworm pupae is naturally complete with all essential amino acids.

27% crude fat. This is the standout figure — significantly higher fat content than fish flakes (8.3%) or daphnia (10%). For invertebrates, fat is an important energy source, especially for breeding females and rapidly-growing juveniles. The fat content makes silkworm pupae particularly valuable during active breeding periods or when conditioning a colony for reproduction.

8% crude fibre (chitin). Higher chitin content than most protein supplements. Chitin is the same structural compound found in invertebrate exoskeletons, and it provides natural fibre that supports healthy digestion in isopods, millipedes, and other moulting animals.

Whole-insect food. Like daphnia, silkworm pupae are a complete organism rather than a formulated blend. No fillers, no processing beyond gentle dehydration. For keepers who prefer minimally-processed natural foods, this is ideal.

Highly attractive to detritivores. Most invertebrates respond strongly to silkworm pupae — feeding behaviour is often more enthusiastic than with formulated foods. The natural fats and proteins are biologically appealing in a way that processed feeds aren't.

Which Invertebrates Benefit?

Isopods. Particularly valuable for breeding-age colonies and juvenile growth periods. The high fat content supports gravid females and rapid juvenile development. All isopods readily consume silkworm pupae, but the price-per-gram makes them most worth it for premium species: Cubaris, Ardentiella, and large Porcellio species. For beginner colonies of Porcellio scaber or similar, silkworm pupae work well as occasional treats but aren't necessary as a regular feeding item.

Millipedes. Larger species in our millipede collection particularly benefit. Chocolate Millipedes, Ghana Speckled Leg, and other large species need significant protein for their size and growth. The high fat content also supports the energy needs of actively breeding adults. Smaller millipedes can be offered crushed pupae.

Snails. Rodatzi GALS and Pink Lipped Panthera readily consume silkworm pupae. The high fat and protein content supports rapid shell growth in young snails. Unicorn Snails can be offered crushed pupae.

Cockroaches. Species in our cockroach collection are highly responsive to silkworm pupae. Useful for breeding colonies and feeder cockroach production where rapid growth and high-quality nutrition matter.

How to Feed

For isopods: Offer 1–2 whole pupae per 20–30 isopods, or crush a small amount and scatter on the substrate. Once weekly is sufficient as a treat — silkworm pupae are calorie-dense and shouldn't be offered daily. For breeding colonies or during conditioning periods, you can increase frequency to twice a week.

For millipedes: One or two whole pupae for medium-sized species, scaled up for giant millipedes. Place on substrate near where the animals are active. Once weekly works well as a supplement to their primary leaf litter and rotting wood diet.

For snails: Crush 1–2 pupae and scatter on the substrate or offer alongside vegetables. Snails will rasp at them slowly. Once weekly is plenty for adult snails; juveniles can be offered slightly more frequently to support growth.

For cockroaches: Whole pupae or crushed pieces placed on substrate. Cockroaches will swarm to them rapidly. Frequency depends on colony size and feeding goals — once or twice weekly for hobby colonies, more frequently for production-focused breeding.

General principle: Silkworm pupae are high-value, calorie-dense food. Less is more. Offer them 1–2 times per week alongside your regular protein supplements (fish flakes, daphnia) rather than as daily food. The variety across feeding sessions provides a fuller nutritional profile than relying on any single food source.

Why Whole Pupae Look Like That

If you haven't seen dried silkworm pupae before — yes, they look like what they are. Whole pupae, brown, oblong, about the size of a large coffee bean. They're not pretty in the way processed flakes are, but for invertebrates, that's actually the point. Whole-organism foods present nutrients in their natural form, with all the structural complexity (chitin shell around fat-rich interior) that detritivores evolved to process.

You can offer them whole and let your animals work at them, or crush them between fingers for smaller invertebrates that can't tackle the pupae intact.

Storage

Store the bag sealed and in a cool, dry place. Dehydrated silkworm pupae have a long shelf life when kept dry, but they will absorb moisture from humid air, which can lead to mould development. Keep the bag sealed between uses.

The 100g size will typically last 6+ months for a small invertebrate collection — silkworm pupae are offered in tiny quantities compared to larger feeder uses, and a single 100g bag covers multiple feeding cycles for a serious hobbyist setup.

A Note on Mould

Like all dry foods in humid invertebrate enclosures, silkworm pupae can develop mould if left uneaten. The high fat content makes them slightly more prone to spoilage than some other dry foods. Feed amounts that get consumed within 24 hours, and remove any uneaten pupae the next day. A thriving springtail culture in the same enclosure helps process small leftover pieces before mould becomes a problem.

Composition

100% natural dried silkworm pupae. No fillers, additives, colourings, or preservatives.

Analytical constituents:

• Crude protein: 48%
• Crude oils and fat: 27%
• Crude fibre: 8%
• Crude ash: 13%

The unusually high fat content (27%) makes silkworm pupae stand out from other invertebrate protein supplements. This is a feature, not a bug — fat is essential for breeding condition and juvenile growth, and too many keepers focus only on protein content while ignoring fat as a critical nutritional component.

How Silkworm Pupae Fit Into Your Feeding Rotation

The most effective approach to invertebrate nutrition is rotating between several protein sources rather than relying on one. Each food has different strengths:

• Silkworm pupae: Highest fat (27%), high chitin (8%), whole organism. Best for breeding conditioning, juvenile growth, and as a high-value treat. Once weekly.
• Dried Daphnia: Highest protein (50%), high fibre (7%), whole organism. Best for routine protein supplementation and chitin variety. 1–2 times weekly.
• Ultra Tropical Fish Flakes: Balanced protein (46.2%), formulated with insect meal, fish hydrolysate, vitamins, and Omega fatty acids. Best for complete daily nutrition. 1–2 times weekly.

Using all three on rotation gives your invertebrates the broadest possible amino acid and fatty acid profile. Many serious keepers structure their feeding week around exactly this kind of rotation.

Pairs Well With

For complete invertebrate care:

• Dried Daphnia — alternating protein source for variety
• Ultra Tropical Fish Flakes — formulated daily protein source
• Cuttlebone — essential calcium for moulting and shell health
• Malawi Limestone — passive calcium source
• Flake Soil — fermented hardwood substrate
• Kinshi — mushroom mycelium for tropical species
• Magnolia Leaves — primary leaf litter
• Bamboo Leaf Litter — structural leaf cover
• Asian Leaf Mix — premium native leaves for tropical species

For more on building balanced invertebrate diets, see our setting up guide. Browse the full accessories collection for everything else needed to keep your invertebrates thriving.