Beetle larvae/breeding substrate

[BugLord]

Looking to make my own and I was wondering if anyone could give me some instructions, tips, and pointers!


Thanks,
Dagan H.

 

[ColeopteraC]

Use organic topsoil devoid of any introduced (even if natural) fertilisers and pesticides. (avoid compost), get a bin bag and fill it with deciduous rotten leaves and wood. The Ratio will differ dependent on what your keeping.

Bake the leaves and boil the wood to prevent foreign organisms harming your animals and proceed to grind both, either just jump on the bag or use some garden machinery to break it into particles. The largest should be about the size of your pinky fingernail.

Mix it all together and your done!

 

[DomGom TheFather]

What kind of beetle?

 

[BugLord]

@ColeopteraC @DomGom TheFather

Oh sorry I should've stated that lol!

Either Dynastes tityus, Dynastes granti

Or even Sleeper's Elephant Beetle or Ox beetles if they become available.

I usually keep millipedes but I want to broaden my horizons and breed some beetles

Thanks,
Dagan H.

 

[paumotu]

Be absolutely sure to boil any leaves or rotten wood you have to prevent pests btw. Once some foreign mite establishes it can be near impossible to get rid of them without throwing away the substrate.

 

[connieisdead]

@ColeopteraC @DomGom TheFather

Oh sorry I should've stated that lol!

Either Dynastes tityus, Dynastes granti

Or even Sleeper's Elephant Beetle or Ox beetles if they become available.

I usually keep millipedes but I want to broaden my horizons and breed some beetles

Thanks,
Dagan H.

If you're interested in ox beetles, PM me I have a few newly emerged adults.

 

[BugLord]

What is the "standard" breeding setup for ox beetles?

I intend to keep the grubs in separate containers.

 

[connieisdead]

What is the "standard" breeding setup for ox beetles?

I intend to keep the grubs in separate containers.

The beetles will be happy on most sorts of organic substrate, just make sure it's a good few inches deep. They like to eat fruits and I've heard that keeping them with bark will incite egg-laying. They can fly so make sure their enclosure has a top. The larva will probably do best in a flake substrate or one made up of rotten wood.

 

[BugLord]

The beetles will be happy on most sorts of organic substrate, just make sure it's a good few inches deep. They like to eat fruits and I've heard that keeping them with bark will incite egg-laying. They can fly so make sure their enclosure has a top. The larva will probably do best in a flake substrate or one made up of rotten wood.

Oh awesome! I'll get a setup going sometime this summer.

I really want to go through the experience of making kinshi bottles... Would that work for ox beetle larvae?

Thank you so much,
Dagan H.

 

[connieisdead]

Oh awesome! I'll get a setup going sometime this summer.

I really want to go through the experience of making kinshi bottles... Would that work for ox beetle larvae?

Thank you so much,
Dagan H.

I'm not all too sure. I've only ever really heard of kinshi being used for stag beetles so I can't say for sure if ox beetles would or wouldn't benefit from it. My gut tells me to stick with kinshi for stags but if you were up for the experiment you could certainly try.

 

[BugLord]

I'm not all too sure. I've only ever really heard of kinshi being used for stag beetles so I can't say for sure if ox beetles would or wouldn't benefit from it. My gut tells me to stick with kinshi for stags but if you were up for the experiment you could certainly try.

I gotcha! Thank you, I'll pm you when I have a setup going.

 

[ColeopteraC]

@ColeopteraC @DomGom TheFather

Oh sorry I should've stated that lol!

Either Dynastes tityus, Dynastes granti

Or even Sleeper's Elephant Beetle or Ox beetles if they become available.

I usually keep millipedes but I want to broaden my horizons and breed some beetles

Thanks,
Dagan H.

The dynastids will need a greater percentage of rotten wood to deciduous hummus, let’s say 25% but don’t overthink the numbers.

 

[BugLord]

How moist should I keep the substrate for M. sleeperi? Right now I'm keeping it moist but not too moist, just like how soil would be if you dug some up in your backyard.

Thanks,
Dagan H.