I figure this is the only place I can ask this...

Do insects metabolise vitamin D and do they use calcium? I think not but I don't know bugs very well.

Anyone have any insight?

Thanks much.

__________________
Ed @ not allowed to post a link
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

depends what bugs, millipedes like to have a calcium supplement

__________________

Now that you mention it millipedes bleach white... assuming calcium.

What I'm looking for is how nocturnal reptiles fulfill their calcium requirement.

Geckos in particular.

__________________
Ed @ not allowed to post a link
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Gecko's are spose to have their crickets dipped in a calcium powder before feeding.
Unless you mean in the wild? Maybe they eat something thats high in it? i dunno.

From what I have read, calcium is important, but not the most important.

There is a paper online, cant remember the author now (i'll find it again if anyone is interested), who investigated the accumulation of compounds involved in moulting, using ants and scorpions as model organisms.

They concluded that the most important element (accumulates the most) was zinc, followed by other trace metals with calcium accumulating in smaller doses in parts where zinc does not accumulate. I belive they also found that diet was not such an important factor as they thought, as the materials still accumulated after a period of starvation.

I have no idea if insects metabolise vitamin D, but insects are far superior to most vertebrates in synthesising everything they need from base materials, unlike us who need it ready made in our diet (meat in particular).

As far as geckos are concerned,in the wild I presume they suppliment their diet with sand and sandstone. I am not sure - my friend Zak is probably the better to ask as he keeps leos and is really into their biology. Hes probably perusing the lizard forums...

__________________
"All I know is my gut says maybe"

Brachypelma albopilosum (Charlotte)
100's of Harvestmen
Member of the BAS and AAS.