Description
Pea Aphid Live Culture – Supplementary Feeder Insects
A live culture of pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) supplied as an additional small feeder for suitable dart frogs and other small insectivores.
Why offer pea aphids?
- Small, soft-bodied prey that many small insectivores will take readily.
- Adds prey-size, movement and texture variation alongside established staple feeders.
- Can encourage active foraging and hunting behaviour.
- Useful as a supplementary feeder rather than a sole diet.
Nutrition wording corrected
We previously described pea aphids as “naturally rich in protein and micronutrients”, “highly nutritious” and suitable for dart frogs of all ages. Without a nutrient analysis of the supplied cultures, those claims were too broad.
Pea aphids should be used as one part of a varied, appropriately supplemented feeding programme. Suitability also depends on the size, species, age and feeding response of the animal.
Important
This is a live feeder-insect culture. Do not release pea aphids outdoors or onto crop plants. Maintain them securely and dispose of unwanted cultures responsibly.
Feeder-Insect & Nutrition Review
Last reviewed: 5 September 2026
Different feeder insects can increase prey variety, but variety alone does not make a captive diet nutritionally complete. Published amphibian-nutrition reviews show that feeder insects vary considerably in calcium, vitamins and other nutrients, and that dusting/gut-loading are commonly used to improve nutrient delivery.
Unless a batch-specific nutrient analysis is available, Frogfather does not describe an individual feeder species or colour strain as nutritionally “balanced”, “complete” or inherently superior.
Evidence & further reading
- Latney & Clayton – amphibian nutrition and common feeder insects
- Livingston et al. – nutrient supplementation for amphibians
- Ferrie et al. – Nutrition and Health in Amphibian Husbandry
