wheel bug eggs

[sschind]

I purchased a couple of female wheel bugs from Kyle (I think it was Kyle) at the NARBC expo in Tinley Park last fall. One died about 2 months ago but I checked this morning and found a nice little batch of eggs from the second one.

I'm looking for information on how to care for them but so far I can't seem to find much. I've found a few older threads here and I contacted the posters but I thought I'd start a thread in case they are no longer around. If anyone has any experience with them I would appreciate some tips. So far all I really know is I'll have to keep the nymphs, if I am lucky enough to get any, separate, or maybe not if I keep them well fed. My bug room can get pretty warm in the winter 85+ is that OK. I'm assuming not to let them get too dry. I'm basically like keeping them in a separate cup next to the female until I hear otherwise.

 

[Tenevanica]

These are very communal, so you should have no problem housing them together assuming you keep them fed. Apparently, captive laid wheel bug eggs are very difficult to care for. Too much moisture and they mold, but too little moisture means the eggs will dry out. You can keep the eggs under the same conditions as the adults and hope for the best. These over-winter as eggs in nature, so perhaps sticking them in your fridge for a month or two will improve hatch rates. Please note that I have never tried them in the fridge, I'm just giving that to you as a suggestion.

 

[sschind]

thanks. I'll watch the humidity levels. They were laid on the lid of a deli cup with the mesh lids so I put a bunch of damp paper towel on the bottom of a shallow deli and I'll just watch and keep it damp.