My Opinion: Keeping Trilobite Beetles (Platerodrilus spp.) In Captivity

[Hisserdude]

Re: Wong, it's impossible to know why he had problems. His sample size was tiny. The male or the female might have been sterile, and if he only hatched three eggs that batch might have had genetic problems too. There is essentially a sample of size of 2 in his case--2 egg clusters--so his failure probably stems more from bad luck than anything else. His female had enough nutrients to produce a clutch of eggs, and he did mention that they had fat clusters, so he definitely got them to feed. The problem was somewhere else along the line.

Well he had quite a few immature WC larvae I believe, he was just only able to get one adult pair, and he attributed the infertile eggs his female laid to the male not hooking up properly... Additionally those three larvae he hatched were from WC eggs, so I doubt the reason they died was at all due to genetics, likely just improper husbandry. That is true, but again he had access to their rotten logs, so anyone overseas might not be able to replicate his feeding success.

 

[Hisserdude]

There are so many thing in nature that we don't know or havn't observed. It is really frustrating when you are expecting to find information, but no one has done any field observations.

I agree, and I'm hoping more field research will be done on these beetles in the future, we could certainly use more dietary information.

 

[Hisserdude]

Also, Wong's paper mentions a reference to larvae being observed on fungi and apparently feeding on fungal growths on the wood. Just because they sip log juice doesn't mean they couldn't also require more sunstantial foods. Other members of Lycidae have been observed preying on soft bodied invertebrates as larvae, similar species have been reported feeding on rotting wood fluids just like trilobite beetles. It's possible that no one knows what else they feed on.

True, but it seems like the gut contents of the larvae Wong dissected weren't full of invertebrate flesh or large amounts of fungi, mostly just fluid and the same microorganisms found in the rotten logs...

 

[dragonfire1577]

Maybe the eggs need a more specialized laying site and temps too. We don't know where the females go to lay them and an enclosure cant offer all the same microclimates as the wild. For all we know they could eat something super unexpected in addition to what was observed and require that to produce good eggs. I mean female mosquitos for example dont need blood to survive but need it for egg laying.

 

[Hisserdude]

Maybe the eggs need a more specialized laying site and temps too. We don't know where the females go to lay them and an enclosure cant offer all the same microclimates as the wild. For all we know they could eat something super unexpected in addition to what was observed and require that to produce good eggs. I mean female mosquitos for example dont need blood to survive but need it for egg laying.

Exactly, much more research needs to be done on wild specimens before entering hobbyists' hands.

 

[dragonfire1577]

There is a good photo of one eating a slime mold btw. They may need a specific slime mold to thrive but may survive on less.

 

[Hisserdude]

There is a good photo of one eating a slime mold btw. They may need a specific slime mold to thrive but may survive on less.

Good to know, could be an essential part of their diet, or might just be a supplementary component instead...

 

[velvetundergrowth]

It seems that the problem with these guys is the same as the infamous Rafflesia arnoldi, a parasitic plant that dwells within the root butresses of its host Tetrastigma - a sprawling jungle vine. The Rafflesia is highly indangered on its native Borneo, many attempts have been made to cultivate it but none have proved successful so far. It seems a mysterious set of conditions must be met to successfully grow the flower, not least of which the challenge of growing a huge vine!
But it got me thinking, while the future of Platerodrilis in the hobby may seem dim, surely with enough fund and effort you could create a larger-scale setup - perhaps dedicating a room-sized space to perfectly recreating the conditions found in their native habitat, with ample room for the raising of location-specific flora and micro-fauna. While this wouldn't be a project for the average enthusiast, I see no reason for this to be outside the capability of scientists and conservationists involved in the preservation of Platerodrilis

 

[Hisserdude]

It seems that the problem with these guys is the same as the infamous Rafflesia arnoldi, a parasitic plant that dwells within the root butresses of its host Tetrastigma - a sprawling jungle vine. The Rafflesia is highly indangered on its native Borneo, many attempts have been made to cultivate it but none have proved successful so far. It seems a mysterious set of conditions must be met to successfully grow the flower, not least of which the challenge of growing a huge vine!
But it got me thinking, while the future of Platerodrilis in the hobby may seem dim, surely with enough fund and effort you could create a larger-scale setup - perhaps dedicating a room-sized space to perfectly recreating the conditions found in their native habitat, with ample room for the raising of location-specific flora and micro-fauna. While this wouldn't be a project for the average enthusiast, I see no reason for this to be outside the capability of scientists and conservationists involved in the preservation of Platerodrilis

Exactly, such a large scale enviorment with native flora and micro-fauna could not be offered by the average hobbyist, (unless they suddenly won the lottery, but again that's not average), but I believe scientists or a zoo for example could attempt such a feat, no guarantee it'd be a success though...

 

[catboyeuthanasia]

Sorry to necro a thread, but may I suggest something to scratch that trilobite beetle itch: Fireflies! There are species of firefly in North America whose larvae have similar body shapes to trilobite beeteles, while being quite common. Here's a nice pink one I found in my wood lot, it's about an inch long:


Here's another one online that looks even more gnarly:

They are carnivores so specific wood shouldn't be a problem, but if it is, you can collect the wood where you collect the bugs! Apparently, raising firefly larvae us something the local kids do, so it should not be hard at all.

Hopefully this can dissuade hobbiests from getting trilobite beetles.

 

[Kada]

PS @Hisserdude does this mean you're back in the hobby?

I wonder if these guys are being kept too warm. If they live in damp logs, they might be vulnerable to high temperatures. This is especially true given that they come from Southeast Asia--might they be found at elevation?

For what it's worth, I have found them in lowlands and slightly higher up in Borneo. From the forests on the edges of the kinabatangan river to the forests at the base of mt. kinabalu. They have been found .in some very warm spots. Always relatively wet areas of proper forest canopy cover, but of course places with refuge from the rains as well. always have relatively fresh air.

 

[Hisserdude]

Sorry to necro a thread, but may I suggest something to scratch that trilobite beetle itch: Fireflies! There are species of firefly in North America whose larvae have similar body shapes to trilobite beeteles, while being quite common. Here's a nice pink one I found in my wood lot, it's about an inch long:

View attachment 458528
Here's another one online that looks even more gnarly:

They are carnivores so specific wood shouldn't be a problem, but if it is, you can collect the wood where you collect the bugs! Apparently, raising firefly larvae us something the local kids do, so it should not be hard at all.

Hopefully this can dissuade hobbiests from getting trilobite beetles.

Funny enough I'm currently breeding Photinus pyralis, and hoping to get more Lampyridae in my collection next year.