Why does silkmothes lay yellow and orange eggs? I thought they only lay yellow eggs.?

Answer 1

When first laid, all eggs are lemon-yellow. After three days, they will turn white if they are infertile, or turn black if they are fertile. Fertile eggs might hatch in about two weeks after being laid in the middle of the summer, but they usually won't hatch unless subjected to "winter" in your refrigerator for at least several weeks. Wait until the eggs turn black before putting them in the Ziplock bag in the refrigerator. Once you take eggs out of the fridge, they will hatch in 7-20 days, or maybe not at all. Direct sunlight in the morning for a few hours hastens hatching. Eggs will remain viable in the refrigerator for about five years.

Answer 2

They can lay orange eggs as well. There are actually different species and subspecies of silk mothes. Diet may also play a factor.

Why do you ask? Breeding some silkworms to feed your herps?


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