click beetle colony tips?

[bugladyfoutch]

I'm interested in raising common click beetles. Any suggestions? I collected a dozen yesterday and replicated their habitat including violets, rotting wood, etc. These I obviously found in the woods but I've collected them on the tips of field grass before also. Kids really enjoy them and that's what I'm about, educating children and adults about God's critters. Thanks for the help.

 

[cacoseraph]

i'd love to see the answers this thread gets... i am looking to branch out my bug keeping and click beetles would be fun!

 

[ZephAmp]

I've raised wireworms (the larvae) that I've found in the soil about this time of year; they need to be kept very, very moist. The adults can tolerate a bit of dryness.
Make sure you keep track of where you find the larvae/adults; Some species will only eat wood while others eat rotting leaf matter and roots.

 

[BiologicalJewels]

I'd say a mixture of Oak Mulch and larger pieces of rotting wood will be beneficial if you are planning on breeding them as well.
As far as food, some species are pollen feeders, get some sugary water and dip a paper towel in there, place it in an accessible area that is not necessarily touching the surface of the substratum.

Eggs should be laid either in the mulch or in the rotten wood, as mentioned by a member earlier, humidity is very important.
A 10 gal with a partially/fully covered screen lid should do the trick.

Do you have any pics???

EDIT: also worth mentioning, there is a southern sp. which has a tad different requirements, A. oculatus larvae are predatory... so to get the requirements right, it will *require* a bit of a learning curve. If yo have a large number of beetles try keeping them in separate groups, in *ideal* conditions while still providing different factors that *may* have an impact in your chances of getting it right

OR

 

[Scythemantis]

I've read that the larval stage can last several years! What about adults? Just a few months, like most beetles?

http://www.hiltonpond.org/images/BeetleEyedClick03.jpg I find these guys all the time here, what could I try feeding them?

 

[cacoseraph]

those are nice looking, scythe!



and hilton pond is an awesome site to just read and read and read through i really like "full spectrum" biologist type ppl who take nice pictures of EVERYTHING... and freaking teach you about it all a bit, too! wish they were more local to me so it would be more directly applicable =P

 

[BiologicalJewels]

That certainly looks like Alaus oculatus.
Larvae are predatory, feed them small crickets, crushed of course, makes it easier on them.

I have knowledge of someone who has kept these for ~4 years. Females are ~2 1/2" I guess it all depends on the diet, this person feed theirs with crickets as mentioned, and supplements with a higher protein food in later stages.

How nice that you are able to find these all the time.

Do you have any pics?

 

[Scythemantis]

No pics, but I see them by lights at the right time of year! What's the best way to keep the adults alive and comfortable enough to breed?