Crickets vs Dubias - Which is the best feeder insect?

Crickets and dubia roaches are 2 of the most popular feeder insects for reptiles.
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But which one is the best feeder insect for your reptile pet?
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Reptiles typically need a diet that consists of:
High protein (30 to 60%)
High fat (40 to 70%)
Mineral content that consists of 2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus
Low carbohydrates and indigestible fiber
Lets see how dubias and crickets compare to each other.
Protein: dubias are about 46% protein content, and crickets are about 66%.
Crickets are on the higher side of protein content, which could lead to kidney stones for your pet. But they will be great for young, growing reptiles.
Dubia roaches have less protein. But they fall right in the middle of the protein-range that your reptile pet needs.
Fat content: Crickets are lean with about 22% fat. But dubias are also lean, with 24% fat.
Neither insect provides the proper amount of fat for your reptile. So it’s important to provide variety to your pet’s diet.
Comment below if you’d like to know which feeder insects have suitable fat content.
Calcium to phosphorus ratio is an important measurement that determines how much calcium your reptile absorbs. Reptiles need calcium for strong bones. So it's important that the feeder insect offers 2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus.
Crickets have a poor calcium to phosphorus ratio, measuring at 1 part calcium to 3.7 parts phosphorus.
Dubias also have a poor calcium to phosphorus ratio at 1 to 1.
This means that both crickets and dubia roaches will need to be gut loaded with calcium-rich food, and also dusted with calcium powder. Fiber content is also important.
Too much fiber can sometimes be challenging for your reptile to digest. Dubia roaches have 8% fiber content, while crickets have 12%. This means dubias will be a little easier to digest. However, both are suitable.
Overall, it’s important to offer your pet a variety of food for a well balanced diet.
Crickets are superior with lean protein. But dubias may be easier to digest, while requiring less calcium dusting.
All of this nutritional information was gathered from an academic study listed in the video description below.
scholar.sun.ac...
Learn more about insect nutrition at www.CritterDepot.com

[@juliegloeckner1714]

I have vailed chameleons and feed dubia due to no noise, no escapees, and no smell. I do feed horn worms as well because they are growing still.

[@TheCritterDepot]

Have you ever looked at black soldier fly larvae? They are the only feeders that offer the recommend amount of calcium.

[@juliegloeckner1714]

@TheCritterDepot if I could just keep them in the stuff they are sent in, yes, otherwise the smell is awful.