Phormictopus auratus breeding

[su3cl3a8]

Has anyone had any success in breeding Phormictopus auratus? Or any Phormictopus?(I’d assume they all have similar breeding conditions)

I paired my female on 9/17/2020, temperature was around 23C. By the end of October her burrow was seen excavated. Since 11/17 I started raising temps to around 25-27 and also started misting once a week.

Up to this point it’s been three months but still no egg sac. Her abdomen is very round like a golf ball and has a 2 tone color, so I’m pretty convinced she’s gravid. Is there anything else I can do to trigger an egg sac or is it just a waiting game? How long does gestation usually take for this sp(or genus?)

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Konstantin Konstantinov]

Hi
instead of misting you can try to soak the substrate (or decent part of it)by pouring water(making it rain).
It worked with my T albopilosus that dropped shortly after.
Regards Konstantin

 

[mjzheng]

Following. I have two Phormictopus girls I hope to breed one day also

 

[su3cl3a8]

Hi
instead of misting you can try to soak the substrate (or decent part of it)by pouring water(making it rain).
It worked with my T albopilosus that dropped shortly after.
Regards Konstantin

I did think of soaking the substrate directly but since the weather from where they are found is considered drier I was hesitant to do that. I will reconsider it since there is nothing else I can think of that will trigger her to lay an egg sac. Thanks for the reply!

 

[su3cl3a8]

Some updates, on March 14th egg sack was found. Yesterday I opened the sack and the sight was pure of joy, there were full of EWLs!
I pour them into the incubator and it looked like 200+ EWLs. Today before work I went to check on them again and most have turned i1. So far so good.

Does anyone know roughly how long does this sp(or genus) take to molt into i2? Temp is around 78-86. I recently bred H. pulchripes and it took 15 days for all i1 to turn into i2.

 

[sasker]

Congrats! Now the real work begins

 

[Smotzer]

Congrats!

 

[Edan bandoot]

Some updates, on March 14th egg sack was found. Yesterday I opened the sack and the sight was pure of joy, there were full of EWLs!
I pour them into the incubator and it looked like 200+ EWLs. Today before work I went to check on them again and most have turned i1. So far so good.

Does anyone know roughly how long does this sp(or genus) take to molt into i2? Temp is around 78-86. I recently bred H. pulchripes and it took 15 days for all i1 to turn into i2.
View attachment 381690

Did soaking the substrate prompt the eggsack?

 

[su3cl3a8]

Did soaking the substrate prompt the eggsack?

Combined with high temps, I think so yes

 

[su3cl3a8]

Last update, on May 29th the last 1i molted to 2i. Final count was 299 2i. I think apart from 3 or 4 eggs that were bad when I opened the sac, ALL made it to 2i. Nothing rare or special, but am happy with the final result nonetheless.

 

[Frogdaddy]

Combined with high temps, I think so yes

Let's not forget that Phormictopus auratus is endemic to Cuba. Cuba is close to southern Florida and has a similar wether pattern this time of year. The trade winds are blowing and you can expect a daily rainshower in the afternoon. I would bet money on it.