Can anyone help me ID this bug in my cricket keeper?

[hestoncv]

I just looked at my crickets and there seems to be some kind of small caterpillar type worm in the enclosure. If anyone could explain what the heck it is I would be happy. It seems to have 6 legs on the front and kinda drags the back end. thanks!

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Dermestid beetle larva

 

[Poonjab]

Dermestid beetle larva

Interesting. I see that it also has a little white spec on it on the tail end. I have identified it as a type of mold from the family aspergillus. That’s a clue that could tell us where it came from.

 

[hestoncv]

Dermestid beetle larva

Interesting. I see that it also has a little white spec on it on the tail end. I have identified it as a type of mold from the family aspergillus. That’s a clue that could tell us where it came from.

Good call! I got the crickets from petsmart, i guess just a mix up from where they get them. Grosses me out tbh, how did i not notice before? can they be small eggs first?

 

[schmiggle]

Interesting. I see that it also has a little white spec on it on the tail end. I have identified it as a type of mold from the family aspergillus. That’s a clue that could tell us where it came from.

Are you joking or serious? I can't tell your tone.

 

[chanda]

Good call! I got the crickets from petsmart, i guess just a mix up from where they get them. Grosses me out tbh, how did i not notice before? can they be small eggs first?

No, it's not a mix-up. Dermestid beetle larvae are very common hitchhikers in cricket shipments. They function as a clean-up crew for the breeders, devouring dead crickets, molts, and other debris. Because of the bristly hairs, they are not very palatable as feeders so if you drop them into your tanks, there's a good chance they'll burrow into the substrate and mature. If this happens more than once, you'll eventually get both male and female dermestid beetles - and then they'll breed like crazy. Next thing you know, the substrate will be absolutely crawling with dermestid beetles and larvae. In some ways, this can be good because they do dispose of dead feeders and molts - but it can also be bad, because they are protein feeders and might nibble on your pets, particularly if they are vulnerable while molting. They might also feed on eggs, which can be problematic if you are attempting to breed inverts.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

In this family, we murder dermestids on sight.

 

[wizentrop]

In this family, we murder dermestids on sight.

Señor Albireo, I recall you did not murder the dermestid beetle on sight last time...

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

Señor Albireo, I recall you did not murder the dermestid beetle on sight last time...

AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED.

also you of all people don't need to be told I'm a SEÑORA

 

[hestoncv]

No, it's not a mix-up. Dermestid beetle larvae are very common hitchhikers in cricket shipments. They function as a clean-up crew for the breeders, devouring dead crickets, molts, and other debris. Because of the bristly hairs, they are not very palatable as feeders so if you drop them into your tanks, there's a good chance they'll burrow into the substrate and mature. If this happens more than once, you'll eventually get both male and female dermestid beetles - and then they'll breed like crazy. Next thing you know, the substrate will be absolutely crawling with dermestid beetles and larvae. In some ways, this can be good because they do dispose of dead feeders and molts - but it can also be bad, because they are protein feeders and might nibble on your pets, particularly if they are vulnerable while molting. They might also feed on eggs, which can be problematic if you are attempting to breed inverts.

Very good information! Thank you