Beardie App Livefood Hub

Feeder insects for bearded dragons

Compare roaches, crickets, worms, larvae and locusts by nutrition, care difficulty, breeding difficulty, feeding role, pros and cons.

Feeding rule: gut-load livefood before feeding, dust appropriately, and offer insects no larger than the space between your bearded dragon's eyes.

Nutrition values vary depending on age, gut-loading, hydration and supplier. Use these figures as a practical guide, not a lab guarantee.

Livefood category

Roaches

StapleQuietEasy to gut-load

Dubia Roach

Staple feeder

One of the best staple feeders for bearded dragons: nutritious, quiet, low smell and easy to keep.

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Very activeFast breederGreat hunting response

Red Runner Roach

Strong rotation / staple feeder

Excellent for hunting stimulation, but much faster and more escape-prone than Dubia roaches.

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Staple alternativeRoach feederGood nutrition

Discoid Roach

Staple feeder

A strong Dubia-style staple alternative, especially where Dubia roaches are unavailable or restricted.

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Meaty feederAdult rotationActive

Orange Head Roach

Rotation feeder

A meatier roach feeder for larger or adult dragons, but not the easiest beginner feeder.

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FastEscape-proneAdvanced

Lobster Roach

Optional rotation feeder

Useful for some keepers, but very fast and escape-prone. Not a beginner staple feeder.

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Livefood category

Crickets

Classic UK feederActive preyGood hunting

Brown Cricket

Staple / rotation feeder

A classic feeder that gives great hunting stimulation, but crickets smell, escape and die off faster than roaches.

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ActiveNoisyCan be aggressive

Black Cricket

Rotation feeder

An active cricket feeder, but often noisier and more aggressive than other cricket options.

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Active preyCricket alternativeGut-load

Banded Cricket

Staple / rotation feeder

A useful cricket alternative, but still comes with classic cricket issues: smell, jumps, escapes and die-offs.

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QuieterPopular UK optionActive prey

Silent Cricket

Staple / rotation feeder

A quieter cricket option popular in the UK, but still short-lived and escape-prone like other crickets.

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Livefood category

Worms & Larvae

Calcium-richSoft-bodiedBowl feeder

Calciworms / BSFL

Supplemental feeder

A naturally calcium-rich supplemental feeder, useful in a bowl but often too small as a main adult feeder.

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High moistureSoft-bodiedFast-growing

Hornworms

Hydration feeder

Excellent hydration feeder, but they grow very fast and should not be treated as a staple.

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Easy to keepEasy to breedUse carefully

Mealworms

Occasional / cautious rotation

Easy and cheap, but not the best staple feeder for bearded dragons. Use as occasional variety.

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Low fatSoft-bodiedPremium feeder

Silkworms

Premium rotation / hydration support

A premium soft-bodied feeder with high moisture and low fat, but they need reliable mulberry-based food.

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PalatableHigher fatAdults only

Superworms

Occasional adult rotation

Very tempting for dragons, but higher fat and poor calcium balance mean they are best for occasional adult rotation.

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Very high fatTreatAppetite boost

Waxworms

Treat only

A treat feeder only. Useful for appetite encouragement, but too fatty for regular feeding.

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Livefood category

Other Feeders

Locusts

Staple / active rotation feeder

A brilliant active feeder with strong hunting response, but they need dry, warm and well-ventilated care.

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