Dorcus stag beetle larva making circles in substrate

[hawkesa1]

My dorcus stag beetle larvae is making circles in its substrate. I know that it's trying to find a place to pupate, but I don't know what to give it to make a pupa chamber. According to my understanding that if they are in rotten wood, thats where they make their pupal cell. I had this problem before with another beetle species and they exhausted themselves to death or a very small version of what they could have been. What should I do? What substrate should i use?

 

[Kada]

My dorcus stag beetle larvae is making circles in its substrate. I know that it's trying to find a place to pupate, but I don't know what to give it to make a pupa chamber. According to my understanding that if they are in rotten wood, thats where they make their pupal cell. I had this problem before with another beetle species and they exhausted themselves to death or a very small version of what they could have been. What should I do? What substrate should i use?

How deep is that? They usually need a good amount of substrate. I agree it's probably looking to pupate.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

A square plastic shoebox might work better you don’t have any tree bark ?

 

[hawkesa1]

It's about 3-4 inches deep.

 

[hawkesa1]

A square plastic shoebox might work better you don’t have any tree bark ?

I live in Mesa Arizona, where there aren't a ton of deciduous trees, or even trees around near by. I think the nearest natural park is around 1-1.5 hr drive from where I live.

 

[FlamingSwampert]

My dorcus stag beetle larvae is making circles in its substrate. I know that it's trying to find a place to pupate, but I don't know what to give it to make a pupa chamber. According to my understanding that if they are in rotten wood, thats where they make their pupal cell. I had this problem before with another beetle species and they exhausted themselves to death or a very small version of what they could have been. What should I do? What substrate should i use?

I'd try digging an oval-shaped depression in the center of the surface a bit larger than the larvae on each side and in depth. If it is suitable, the larvae may pupate in the depression.

 

[hawkesa1]

That's a good idea. Thank you!

 

[FlamingSwampert]

That's a good idea. Thank you!

You're welcome! I hope it works out!

 

[coraciiforme]

If it continues to wander you can make an artificial pupal cell for it using wet floral foam.

 

[FlamingSwampert]

If it continues to wander you can make an artificial pupal cell for it using wet floral foam.

Thanks for the reply.

Since I posted this she has constructed her chamber at the bottom, become a pupae, and has emerged into an adult!