Best Feeder Insects

Pros

• flukerfarms.com Live Dubia Roaches PDP 2026-09-02: Blaptica dubia; high moisture and protein; gut-loaded; sizes from 1/4" to approximately 1". Size options Small / Medium / Large; quantities 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000. SKU 98400-1. Schema.org price $6.90 USD.
• Same PDP nutrition table (Yee et al. 2018; Cerreta et al. 2021 noted as other analysis): adults moisture 58–65%, protein 50–56%, fat 30–40%, ash 3.5–4.2%; nymphs moisture 58–60%, protein 46–50%, fat 43–46%, ash 2.4–2.6%. Soft exoskeleton; cannot fly; recommends High Calcium Dubia Roach diet 24 hours before feeding the pet.
• Live Arrival Guarantee: claims within 2 business days. Winter: guaranteed live delivery when temps are as low as 16°F at destination and/or regional sort facilities; 0–15°F Ship Without Guarantee or Hold For Weather (up to 7 days); will not ship below 0°F. Ships same day Monday–Thursday before 3pm CST. Recurring options exist and are not required.

Cons

• Dubia roaches cannot be shipped to Alabama or Florida (printed on the PDP). Check state law before ordering.
• Protein/fat figures are cited from literature on the PDP (dry-matter vs as-fed is flagged by Cerreta et al. 2021). We did not independently assay the cups.
• Live insects are weather-sensitive. Extreme-cold SWG waives the live guarantee. We are not veterinarians.

Score breakdown

Specs

Species

Blaptica dubia (Guyana / orange-spotted cockroach). Feeder for reptiles, amphibians, arachnids per PDP.

Form

Live feeder insects. Small / Medium / Large. Counts 50–1000.

Protein

Adults 50–56%; nymphs 46–50% (PDP table, Yee et al. 2018)

Shipping

No AL or FL. Live arrival guaranteed subject to 16°F winter policy. Mon–Thu before 3pm CST.

Msrp

$6.90 starting on flukerfarms.com schema.org Offer 2026-09-02

Score Notes

quality 10 = 3 live PDP + 2 scientific name + 2 numeric protein + 2 sizes/counts + 1 gut-load 24h. safety 9 = 3 LAG + 2 weather + 2 AL/FL ban + 2 restriction printed. ease 10 = 3 sizes + 2 cutoff + 2 24h diet + 2 US farm + 1 optional recurring. value 10 = 3 USD + 2 qty + 2 no required sub + 1 ≤$10 + 1 1000-count.

Pros

• flukerfarms.com High Calcium Cricket Diet PDP 2026-09-02: gut-load formula to increase vitamin/mineral content of crickets before they are offered as prey. Sizes 11.5 oz and 6 lbs. SKU 71000-1. Schema.org minPrice $5.51 / maxPrice $24.32.
• Guaranteed analysis on the PDP: Crude Protein 18.00% min; Crude Fat 4.50% min; Crude Fiber 10.00% max; Moisture 14.00% max; Calcium 8.00% min; Phosphorus 0.60% min. Highest labeled calcium among the three High-Calcium Fluker’s diets captured this pass. Suitable for crickets and most feeder insects.
• Feeding directions: primary food for crickets and most other feeder insects; feed the insects to the pet the day after they have consumed the diet. Store cool and dry. Caution: do not feed moldy or insect-infested feed.

Cons

• ‘Veterinarian-formulated’ and ‘establishes a positive calcium-to-phosphorus ratio’ are manufacturer claims. We did not run feeding trials.
• This is cricket/feeder food, not a complete diet for the reptile. Gut-loaded insects still typically need calcium dusting per a veterinarian’s protocol.
• The PDP FAQ says it can be used with mealworms and roaches; the guaranteed analysis is still the cricket formula.

Score breakdown

Specs

Species

Crickets and most feeder insects (PDP).

Form

Dry gut-load diet. 11.5 oz and 6 lb.

Protein

18.00% min (diet GA, not the cricket’s body)

Calcium

8.00% min; phosphorus 0.60% min

Shipping

Not a live animal. Calculated at checkout. No AL/FL live-insect ban applies to the bag.

Msrp

$5.51–$24.32 on flukerfarms.com 2026-09-02

Score Notes

quality 9 = 3 PDP + 2 GA + 2 Ca 8% + 2 sizes + 0 scientific name of a live insect (diet). safety 10 = diet: not live + mold caution + store cool/dry + do-not-feed-moldy. ease 10 = sizes + day-after feeding + primary-food instructions + US + optional not required. value 10 = USD + sizes + no required sub + ≤$10 + 6 lb.

Pros

• flukerfarms.com High Calcium Dubia Roach Diet PDP 2026-09-02: premium formula for gut-loading feeder roaches. Sizes 7 oz, 14 oz, 3.75 lbs. SKU 71013. Schema.org price $7.72.
• Guaranteed analysis: Crude Protein 14.75% min; Crude Fat 4.25% min; Crude Fiber 6% max; Moisture 10.5% max; Calcium 6.5% min; Phosphorus 0.55% min; Vitamin A 35,000 IU/kg min; Vitamin D3 250 IU/kg min. Suitable for Dubia, other feeder roaches, and most feeder insects.
• Feed as the primary food; offer fresh daily; let roaches feed 24 hours before offering to the pet. Do not keep sliced potatoes in the container during gut-loading. Cricket Quencher twice a week if keeping roaches longer than one week (drowning risk in a water bowl). Wash hands after use.

Cons

• Labeled calcium (6.5% min) is lower than the cricket High Calcium Diet (8.00% min) on the cricket PDP.
• FAQ on the same page says this is a daily food and that gut-loading still includes fresh produce 24 hours before feeding — wording conflicts slightly with the 24-hour diet instruction. Follow the feeding-instructions block.
• ‘Clinically proven to establish a positive calcium-to-phosphorus ratio’ is a manufacturer claim. We did not review the study.

Score breakdown

Specs

Species

Dubia roaches, other feeder roaches, and most feeder insects (PDP).

Form

Dry gut-load diet. 7 oz / 14 oz / 3.75 lb.

Protein

14.75% min (diet GA)

Calcium

6.5% min; phosphorus 0.55% min

Shipping

Not a live animal. Calculated at checkout.

Msrp

$7.72 on flukerfarms.com schema.org Offer 2026-09-02

Score Notes

quality 9 = 3 PDP + 2 GA + 2 Ca 6.5% + 2 sizes + 0 live scientific name. safety 10 = diet not live + mold + drowning/potato caution + wash hands / perishable. ease 10 = 3 sizes + 24h + dish instructions + US. value 10 = USD + sizes + no required sub + ≤$10 + 3.75 lb.

Pros

• flukerfarms.com High Calcium Mealworm Diet PDP 2026-09-02: gut-load for mealworms; also serves as bedding. Sizes 6 oz, 12 oz, 3 lbs. SKU 71010. Schema.org price $7.15.
• Guaranteed analysis: Crude Protein 13.5% min; Crude Fat 4.75% min; Crude Fiber 8.5% max; Moisture 10.5% max; Calcium 7.75% min; Phosphorus 0.55% min; Vitamin A 35,000 IU/kg min; Vitamin D 250 IU/kg min. Suitable for mealworms and most feeder insects; FAQ says superworms, crickets, and Dubia too.
• Add 1 to 2 inches to the mealworm container; let mealworms feed 48 hours before offering to the pet. Replace when dusty. Do not keep sliced potatoes in the container during gut-loading. If keeping longer than one week, refrigerate to prevent beetles. Wash hands after use.

Cons

• Diet protein (13.5% min) is the lowest of the three High-Calcium Fluker’s diets. Calcium 7.75% min sits between cricket (8.00%) and dubia (6.5%) formulas.
• 48-hour gut-load is longer than the 24-hour windows on the dubia diet and Orange Cube PDPs.
• FAQ vs feeding-instructions conflict on whether produce is still required for ‘gut-loading.’ Follow the feeding-instructions block.

Score breakdown

Specs

Species

Mealworms and most feeder insects (PDP).

Form

Dry gut-load / bedding. 6 oz / 12 oz / 3 lb.

Protein

13.5% min (diet GA)

Calcium

7.75% min; phosphorus 0.55% min

Shipping

Not a live animal. Calculated at checkout.

Msrp

$7.15 on flukerfarms.com schema.org Offer 2026-09-02

Score Notes

quality 9 = 3 PDP + 2 GA + 2 Ca 7.75% + 2 sizes. safety 10 = diet not live + mold + potato/moisture + refrigerate/wash hands. ease 10 = sizes + 48h + 1–2 inches + US. value 10 = USD + sizes + no required sub + ≤$10 + 3 lb.

Pros

• flukerfarms.com Orange Cube Cricket Diet PDP 2026-09-02: three-in-one food, vitamins, and water. SKU 71300. Schema.org price $8.79. Shop-by-product listing shows $8.79–$71.70. Suitable for crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, and other feeder insects.
• Guaranteed analysis: Crude Protein 3.5% min; Crude Fat 0.1% min; Crude Fiber 0.5% max; Moisture 92% max; Calcium 0.05% min. Ingredients include water, carrageenan, soya protein, dried brewer’s yeast, dried kelp, calcium carbonate. Marketing also names vitamins E, B12, A, D3.
• Use as a primary cricket food; most effective if offered at least 24 hours before feeding the pet. Remove spoiled cubes to prevent bacteria and fungi. Intended to reduce drowned, dehydrated, and nutrient-deficient crickets versus open water.

Cons

• Labeled calcium is 0.05% minimum — not a high-calcium gut-load. Use a High Calcium Diet if the goal is Ca:P, not hydration.
• Protein 3.5% min is the cube, not the cricket. High moisture (92% max) means it can spoil; the PDP says to remove spoiled food.
• The cricket live PDP also points at Orange Cube plus Hi-Cal Cricket Diet; this cube does not replace the 8% calcium cricket diet.

Score breakdown

Specs

Species

Crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, and other feeder insects (PDP).

Form

Moist cube (food + water + vitamins). Starting price is the schema.org Offer; family range on shop-by-product is $8.79–$71.70.

Protein

3.5% min (cube GA)

Calcium

0.05% min

Shipping

Not a live animal. Calculated at checkout.

Msrp

$8.79 on flukerfarms.com schema.org Offer 2026-09-02

Score Notes

quality 8 = 3 PDP + 2 GA + 0 high numeric Ca (0.05%) + 2 shop sizes + 1 3-in-1/24h. safety 10 = not live + spoil/bacteria caution + drowning reduction claim + store cool/dry. ease 10 = sizes + 24h + primary food + US. value 10 = USD + family bulk + no required sub + ≤$10 + $71.70 bulk on shop-by-product.

Pros

• joshsfrogs.com medium Dubia PDP 2026-09-02: 1/2"–3/4" Medium Dubia Roaches (Blaptica dubia). Counts and USD printed: 25 $6.99; 50 $10.99; 100 $14.99; 250 $29.99; 500 $54.99; 1000 $89.99. Sorted by hole size then packed by weight; company says they weigh in the buyer’s favor.
• Josh’s Frogs states it has USDA permits to legally ship dubia across most state lines; a copy is available by email; a USDA do-not-release flier is included. Restricted states on the 100-count child SKU: AL, FL, HI. U.S. destinations only.
• Live Arrival Guarantee on the 100-count page: Next Day temps −40 to 120°F; Two Day −20 to 120°F; Ground 0 to 100°F. Most orders before 2pm ET on business days ship same day. Named as a large feeder for bearded dragons, chameleons, leopard geckos, fat-tailed geckos, spiders, and similarly sized insectivores.

Cons

• This PDP does not print a numeric protein/fat table (unlike Fluker’s dubia page). ‘Nutritious’ is marketing without a panel here.
• Cannot ship to Alabama, Florida, or Hawaii. Dubia may arrive with buffalo beetles (Alphitobius diaperinus); the company says they are colony cleaners, not a defect.
• Size and count vary slightly because packing is by weight. Live-arrival temperature bands still apply — Ground is the strictest (0–100°F).

Score breakdown

Specs

Species

Blaptica dubia. 1/2–3/4 inch medium.

Form

Live feeder insects. 25–1000 count.

Protein

Not printed as a number on this PDP.

Shipping

No AL, FL, or HI. U.S. only. LAG with service-specific temperature bands. Same-day if before 2pm ET business days.

Msrp

$6.99 / 25 count; $14.99 / 100; $89.99 / 1000 on joshsfrogs.com 2026-09-02

Score Notes

quality 8 = 3 PDP + 2 scientific name + 0 numeric protein + 2 sizes/counts + 1 nutritious/colony language. safety 9 = 3 LAG + 2 temp bands + 2 AL/FL/HI + 2 USDA permits/flier. ease 8 = 3 sizes + 2 2pm ET + 0 gut-load hours on this PDP + 2 US. value 10 = USD + counts + no required sub + ≤$10 + 1000 count.

Pros

• flukerfarms.com Live Crickets PDP 2026-09-02: high-protein feeder; gut-loaded and shipped from Fluker’s U.S. farm; #1 seller. Sizes from 1-week-old pinheads (3/16 inch in schema description; body copy also says up to 3/4 inch / 1 inch depending on block) to 6-week adults; quantities starting at 100. SKU Crickets. Schema.org price $6.90. Shop-by-product range $6.90–$99.99.
• Live Arrival Guarantee with the same winter 16°F / SWG / Hold For Weather policy as other Fluker’s feeders. Ships same day Monday–Thursday before 11AM CT. Claims within 2 business days. Recommends Orange Cube and Hi-Cal Cricket Diet plus quenchers.
• Keep at 70–75°F per the PDP. Optional recurring purchase is not required.

Cons

• This product page does not print a numeric protein/fat table and does not print Acheta domesticus on the PDP we captured (the care-sheet URL is a different page and was not used for scoring).
• No state shipping ban is printed on this cricket PDP (unlike dubia). Weather still governs live arrival. We did not invent a cricket-specific ban.
• Crickets drown in open water — the PDP points at Orange Cube / quencher rather than a bowl. Chirp, escape, and bite risk are not quantified here.

Score breakdown

Specs

Species

Live feeder crickets (scientific name not on this PDP).

Form

Live feeder insects. Pinhead to adult. Quantities from 100.

Protein

Described as high / rich in protein; no percent on this PDP.

Shipping

LAG; winter 16°F policy; Mon–Thu before 11AM CT. No AL/FL line on this cricket PDP.

Msrp

$6.90 starting; shop-by-product $6.90–$99.99 on 2026-09-02

Score Notes

quality 6 = 3 PDP + 0 sci name on PDP + 0 numeric protein + 2 sizes + 1 gut-load rec. safety 5 = 3 LAG + 2 weather + 0 state ban on this PDP. ease 10 = sizes + cutoff + Orange Cube/Hi-Cal + US farm + optional recurring. value 10 = USD + qty + no required sub + ≤$10 + bulk $99.99.

Pros

• flukerfarms.com Live Mealworms PDP 2026-09-02: Tenebrio molitor; high in protein; medium 1/2"–3/4", large 3/4"–1". Schema.org price $6.50. Shop-by-product / live-insects listing $6.50–$128.00. Ships Monday–Thursday with Live Delivery Guarantee.
• Shipped loose in a box or mailing tube depending on quantity; transfer into a plastic container with enough bedding to cover the worms (PDP).
• Same Fluker’s live-arrival / winter 16°F / SWG / Hold For Weather policy as other live feeders. Claims within 2 business days.

Cons

• ‘High in protein’ is not a percent on this PDP. No calcium or Ca:P figure. Mealworms are a convenience feeder; chitin and fat are not quantified here.
• No state shipping ban printed on this mealworm PDP. Live weather policy still applies.
• Must be transferred into bedding on arrival. Superworms are a different SKU.

Score breakdown

Specs

Species

Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworm).

Form

Live larvae. Medium 1/2–3/4"; large 3/4–1". Loose pack.

Protein

Described as high in protein; no percent on this PDP.

Shipping

LAG; winter 16°F policy; Mon–Thu. Loose box or tube.

Msrp

$6.50 starting; shop range $6.50–$128.00 on 2026-09-02

Score Notes

quality 7 = 3 PDP + 2 Tenebrio molitor + 0 numeric protein + 2 sizes + 0 gut-load hours on this PDP. safety 5 = 3 LAG + 2 weather + 0 state ban. ease 8 = sizes + Mon–Thu + 0 24h gut-load on this PDP + 2 US + transfer note. value 10 = USD + sizes + no required sub + ≤$10 + $128 bulk on shop listing.