The best insects for a bearded dragon are the ones that fit its current size and a varied feeding plan. This shortlist compares three specific live-feeder orders: banded crickets, dubia roaches and black soldier fly larvae. The quarter-inch cricket option is a conditional choice: its seller says that size is too small for juvenile bearded dragons. Confirm the feeder size for your individual dragon before choosing any of these orders.
This guide concerns pet central bearded dragons. Growing dragons and adults need different feeding plans, and adults generally eat more plant material. Insects alone are not a complete menu. Discuss the balance of feeders, vegetables and supplements with a reptile veterinarian, particularly for a hatchling or a dragon with a health problem.
Our picks compare documented insect identity, stated size, quantity and purchase conditions. We have not performed feeding trials or measured survival rates. “Best” describes the use case below, rather than a tested ranking of nutrition or suppliers.
Our feeder-insect shortlist
| Product and selected order | Best fit | Stated insect size | Buying limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh’s Frogs banded crickets, 250 count | Only for a confirmed quarter-inch feeder requirement | 1/4 inch | Seller says too small for juveniles; youngest hatchlings may require smaller prey |
| Dubia.com dubia roaches, 100-count option | A roach option with a lower nominal order count | Extra Small, 1/4 inch | Actual count may vary; supplier excludes Florida, Hawaii and destinations outside the US |
| Symton Small Black Soldier Fly Larvae, 500-count option | A different live insect for variety | 0.25 inch | Larger order; does not establish that supplements can be stopped |
1. Josh’s Frogs 1/4-inch banded crickets: a conditional small-size order
Josh’s Frogs identifies these as young banded crickets, Gryllodes sigillatus, and the selected Amazon product is the 1/4-inch, 250-count option. We include it only for shoppers whose reptile veterinarian and feeder supplier have already confirmed that quarter-inch crickets suit their individual dragon. In that narrow situation, 250 is a smaller commitment than the supplier’s 500- and 1,000-count orders of the same size. It is not our default first cricket purchase.
Josh’s Frogs 1/4-inch Young Banded Feeder Crickets, 250 Count
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There are cautions at both ends of the age range. The exact selected listing’s seller content says quarter-inch crickets are too small for juvenile bearded dragons and suggests considering half-inch crickets. NC State’s veterinary guide, meanwhile, lists much smaller pinheads for the youngest hatchlings. Neither statement makes quarter-inch or half-inch prey automatically suitable for every dragon, and we have not qualified a half-inch product here. Ask your reptile veterinarian and the supplier to resolve the appropriate size before ordering. Plan to house and feed live crickets separately, and review the seller’s delivery terms for your address and weather; a live-arrival guarantee does not prove every shipment will survive.
2. Dubia.com Extra Small dubia roaches: best lower-count alternative
If you want to add a roach feeder without buying hundreds at once, compare Dubia.com’s Extra Small 1/4-inch, 100-count option. The supplier offers several sizes on the same page, so the selected variant matters. Its quantity is approximate: Dubia.com explains that it uses both counting and weight and that an order can contain more or fewer insects than the nominal count.
The supplier does not ship these dubia roaches to Florida, Hawaii or outside the US. Check that before comparing delivery costs. Its page also says to avoid roaches larger than the space between the lizard’s eyes. Treat the stated 1/4-inch size as a purchasing guide and inspect the insects themselves before feeding. The general product photograph does not measure the size of your delivered insects.
3. Symton Small Black Soldier Fly Larvae: best additional insect type
For another live feeder, consider Symton’s Small Black Soldier Fly Larvae, selected as 500 Small. Symton states a length of 0.25 inch. NC State includes black soldier fly larvae among store-bought insect foods for bearded dragons. We would choose this for variety, provided the size and quantity suit the animal and your ability to care for the feeders.
Check the order controls carefully: the supplier’s shared photograph shows a tub labeled 1,000 Small even when the 500 Small option is selected. Follow its live-feeder care instructions and review delivery conditions before buying. Do not treat claims about calcium as a reason to stop a veterinarian’s supplement plan or use these larvae to treat disease.
How to choose an order you can use
Start with insect size, then quantity. NC State’s veterinary feeding guide says not to offer an insect longer than the dragon’s head is wide. Its hatchling recommendations differ from those for older animals. If you are uncertain, ask your reptile veterinarian to identify an appropriate feeder size before placing a bulk order.
Prepare live feeders with appropriate food before offering them, a process called gut-loading. Calcium and vitamin use also needs to fit the dragon’s age, health and setup. The feeder purchase is only part of that setup: suitable heat and UVB lighting are essential too, as outlined in MSD’s veterinary husbandry guidance. This roundup does not prescribe insect counts, dusting amounts or a supplement schedule.
Compare the delivered cost of an amount you can realistically care for and use. A lower price per hundred has little value if much of the order becomes unusable. Check the exact size/count selection, shipping charge, weather requirements and live-arrival claim procedure at checkout. Start with a manageable order before committing to a bigger pack or a subscription.
Use purpose-bred feeders from an appropriate supplier. VCA’s veterinary guidance warns against collecting insects outdoors because of potential chemical exposure and specifically says never to feed fireflies. It also limits waxworms and superworms because of their high fat content; a bag marketed as a treat is not an invitation to feed it freely.
Frequently asked questions
Which of these would you buy first?
Confirm the feeder type and size for your dragon first, then compare quantities you can maintain. Do not choose the quarter-inch cricket order as a default: the seller says it is too small for juveniles, while the youngest hatchlings may need smaller prey. Buy that exact option only after your reptile veterinarian and supplier confirm it is appropriate. The dubia and larvae orders also need an individual size and feeding-plan check.
Are these small insects suitable for every baby bearded dragon?
No. A quarter-inch feeder is not interchangeable with a pinhead cricket, and the youngest hatchlings need special attention to prey size and meal planning. The selected cricket seller also warns that quarter-inch crickets are too small for juveniles. Get advice for the individual dragon instead of relying on an “all life stages” retailer label.
Can I make dried mealworms the whole diet?
No. Bearded dragons need a varied diet that includes plant foods as well as suitable animal foods. A bulk bag of dried insects, whether sold for reptiles or poultry, does not by itself establish a complete diet for your dragon.
Do black soldier fly larvae replace calcium and UVB?
Do not make that assumption. UVB and an appropriate supplementation plan remain husbandry decisions for the individual dragon. Ask your reptile veterinarian how any new feeder fits that plan before changing supplements.
How many insects should I feed each day?
A purchase quantity is not a feeding dose. Age, size, body condition and health affect the plan, and adult feeding differs from that of a growing dragon. Use your reptile veterinarian’s advice to decide portions and frequency.
