The gold standard. Highest protein of common feeders, low fat, and a Ca:P ratio that blows crickets and mealworms out of the water at 0.31 — still needs dusting but a much better base. Cannot climb smooth surfaces, no smell, near-silent, and will live up to 2 years as nymphs. Gut-loads exceptionally well due to a large digestive tract. Cannot be shipped to Florida.

The only feeder insect with a Ca:P ratio approaching the ideal 2:1 — Phoenix Worm brand comes in at 1.52:1, making it the single best natural calcium source available. Do not gut-load: their nutrition is locked in and gut-loading does nothing. Note that Calciworm brand runs 3.28:1, which is too high for regular feeding — stick to Phoenix Worm. Invaluable for juveniles and breeding females.

High protein and low fat make crickets nutritionally solid, but a Ca:P ratio of just 0.08 means dusting is non-negotiable. Their erratic movement is genuinely valuable — it triggers natural hunting behaviour that keeps geckos mentally stimulated. Downsides: noisy, short-lived, can carry parasites from poor suppliers, and will bite sleeping geckos if left overnight. Always remove uneaten crickets within 15 minutes.

Nearly identical profile to dubia roaches and an excellent alternative. Cannot fly, making handling safer. Softer-bodied than mealworms so easier to digest. Gut-loads well and retains that nutrition longer than some other feeders. A good choice if dubia are unavailable in your region.

Protein is decent but fat is considerably higher than dubia or crickets, and the Ca:P ratio of 0.04 is the worst of common feeders. Their small digestive tract means gut-loading has limited effect. The main advantages: cheap, widely available everywhere, refrigerate to extend lifespan for months, and geckos love them. Fine as part of a varied diet — just don't make them the majority. Giant mealworms are treated with S-Methoprene (insect growth regulator) — research this before deciding.

Higher fat than mealworms and lower protein — not a nutritional upgrade. However, they have less chitin per body mass, making them easier to digest. Adults only: their size and fat content make them unsuitable as a regular feeder for juveniles. Do NOT refrigerate — unlike mealworms, cold kills superworms. Can bite if not fed quickly.

Lowest fat of any common feeder and very high moisture content. Soft-bodied and easy to digest. Protein is on the lower end so they should supplement rather than replace higher-protein staples. Most geckos enjoy them. The catch: they require a specific diet (mulberry leaves or artificial chow) and die quickly without it, making them harder to keep than most feeders.

The highest moisture content of any feeder at 85% — excellent for hydration and helping geckos pass difficult sheds. Low protein means they cannot serve a nutritional role as a staple. Use as an occasional treat for adults or as a targeted hydration boost. Grow very fast — order small batches or they outgrow usefulness quickly. Difficult to find in shops; usually ordered online.

Fat content of 22% makes these the most calorie-dense feeder available — and geckos know it. They are highly palatable to the point of addiction: geckos fed waxworms regularly will begin refusing all other food. Reserve strictly for appetite stimulation during illness or as a very rare reward. Cannot be gut-loaded. Sensitive to moisture and heat; store at room temperature.

Lethal. Fireflies produce lucibufagins — defensive steroids that are acutely toxic to leopard geckos. A single firefly has killed geckos in documented cases. There is no safe amount and no antidote. This applies to all firefly species regardless of whether they appear to glow. Never feed any wild-caught insect.

Any insect from your garden, field, or outdoor space carries pesticide residue, herbicide contamination, and parasite risk (pinworms, flagellates, and others are common). There is no way to test or clean a wild insect sufficiently. Only ever feed captive-bred insects from a reputable supplier.

Chilean moth larvae with a high fat content similar to waxworms. Geckos generally find them very palatable. Cannot be bred in captivity outside their native Chile — all stock is irradiated before export. Use sparingly as a treat. Some geckos develop preferences for them over staple feeders with overfeeding.

Excellent dubia alternative — similar nutritional profile, very similar Ca:P ratio, and arguably more active which triggers a better feeding response in some geckos. Cannot climb smooth glass or plastic. Slightly smaller than dubias at equivalent nymph ages, making them good for smaller or younger geckos. Gut-loads well.

Sold as pre-killed frozen pupae — no live insect maintenance required. Good for geckos that refuse other feeders or as an emergency feeder. Nutritional value is reasonable but lower protein than dubia or Turkestan roaches. A useful addition to the rotation rather than a staple. Cannot be gut-loaded (pre-killed).

For hatchlings and very young geckos under 3 inches only. Flightless cultures (D. melanogaster or D. hydei) are essential — winged fruit flies will escape immediately. Adults and sub-adults should be transitioned to appropriately sized crickets or roach nymphs as quickly as possible. Nutritionally limited — use only as a starter feeder.