lilgreenbee
agapostemon
If cabbage worms (Pieris rapae) are plucked off a vegetable in a garden that doesn't use any pesticides and chemicals, would they be safe? I know humans can eat them, although it's usually by accident. Birds seem to eat them without harm as well.
I don't think they get anything toxic from their host plants, which would be brassica family/cruciferous vegetables. Brassicas do have sulfur compounds that can make them very bitter or spicy, and to some people they are unpalatable, but I'm not sure if that would cause the worm to be toxic to a reptile. Does anybody have an idea about toxicity?
I would use them more like a treat insect like a wax worm or a horn worm. If safe to eat, would it be bitter and not a good treat? Has anybody fed them to their reptile?
(photo is by James K Lindsey)
I don't think they get anything toxic from their host plants, which would be brassica family/cruciferous vegetables. Brassicas do have sulfur compounds that can make them very bitter or spicy, and to some people they are unpalatable, but I'm not sure if that would cause the worm to be toxic to a reptile. Does anybody have an idea about toxicity?
I would use them more like a treat insect like a wax worm or a horn worm. If safe to eat, would it be bitter and not a good treat? Has anybody fed them to their reptile?
(photo is by James K Lindsey)