Flower beetle care sheet

Breeding conditions and factors

Temperature: should be about 22-25C for larvae, Mainly tropical beetle adults are obviously used to longer light period than we have in Europe and temperature should ideally drop to 15 degrees during the night.

Moisture : Referring to the absolute range of moisture 1(dry)-5(wet) the best is 3-4 for larvae substrate with continuous drying up to 1,5-2 when larvae pupate. Beetles in cocoon are generally less vulnerable when the moisture of breeding substrate is kept low. Too wet cause elytra deformations, mites infestation eventually support fungal and mould infection. These mentioned mainly affect pupas.

Feeding and substrate composition: African Goliathini are commonly diurnal insects, feeding on sap coming from wounds on trees, many of them are found in blossoms of Protea , Vernonia or Acacia sp., although some other species of the Cremastochelini develop in symbiosis with social insects, another big amount of species are found in dung and termite nests. Most of the cetoniinae in culture do accept mixture composed of old leaf litter (any deciduos trees) with addition of rotten wood (preferably white wood, like beech or oak). You can add some leafy vegetable for some particular species (Eudicella, Pachnoda). Also dung or manure supplement is welcomed as some genera do develop in such substrate (Cremastochelini, Oryctes sp., Rhabdotis, Mausoleopsis etc.). Adults in captivity feed on fruit (widely bananas), might be substituted by jelly equivalent for easier maintenance. Fruit should be changed every second day and put on a glass tray to avoid having plenty mites and Drosophilas in it.

Terrarium for keeping tropical beetles: Admeasurements should be equivalent to number and size of beetles, bigger are mostly better. Adequate substrate layer is more than 15cm and it is necessary to keep it quite moist, especially when adults are about to lay eggs. On the surface I put some stones and pieces of bark. Bark retain substrate humidity and give support to adults when turn on their backs.

"Cannibalism" of larvae? Widely spoken there is some kind of so called "cannibalism" among cetoniinae larvae, especially larvae with large mandibles when kept together may wound each other, that sometimes issues in decease so consequently organic matter of larvae body is consumed by others. Real predation is discussed in context of breeding Goliathus (and other species from Goliathina group) and in praxis we give these larvae various protein rich additives in order to breed them well. However this way of breeding is very complicated and involves a lot of breeder`s patience.

Sexing : Cetoniinae imago has widely evident sexual dimorphism, males often with developed horns (Eudicella, Mecynorrhina) or having a groove (or deeper channel) on abdomen (Pachnoda, Caelorrhina). Some species have at first glance similar sexes so we can earmark males by global pygidum shapes, tarsae length or thorns presence. These characteristics are described for each individual case (species) elsewhere. Larvae might by distinquished using magnifying glass by a small spot called "Harold´s organ", which could be found on the last abdominal segment on ventral side (well visible on latest larvae instar). This small dot indicates male.

For the breeding of beetles are a suitable glass or plastic tanks-the size and shape depends on the size and number of beetles. Must be well accessible for the exchange of the substrate and for cleaning and disinfecting. It is necessary to ensure adequate ventilation through ventilation holes. The proven format of the tank is about. 30x30x30-40.

At the bottom of the tank with substrate into the layer of at least 10 cm. the more the better. We have a flat bark-prevents dehydration and allows you to rotate the position of the bug on my back, and also the various roots or branches,

Thus we have the tank ready to move in. On this occasion I recommend-what kind of one tank, so you can keep track of what you have.

Substrate It is the basis for successful rearing ...

Some of the less common species have specific claims, however, it is sufficient for most types of substrate from decayed leaf (only broad-leaved trees) best of beech or oak, (Trouch usually discover-coloured red or white, which is due to the different types of micro-organisms involved in the "processing" the fallen tree (white trouch is more appropriate)., mixed material, in small pieces

Food of larvae

The larvae are fed substrate into which several. In addition, we see that, whether the substrate is consumed, přikrmujeme leaves of lettuce, cabbage, a sprinkling of grated carrots, sliced apples, and that's always in a reasonable quantity to soil mites nepodpořili condominium.

Food adult beetles

Beetle jelly is the best type of food to feed your beetles but you can feed them bananas are overripe fruit. Food at least every second day we change-prevent fermentation residues and the condominium mites.

Breeding

About a month after the first mate, I'll check the substrate in the tank if there are already larvae of the event. the eggs. I'll remove the entire batch of the substrate and place it into the breeding containers. Then clean the tank Revive a layer of the substrate. For the larvae of the species, which form the cocoons of wild in the substrate(eg.Stephanorrhina Smaragdesthes), I use as breeding containers plastic 10-litre buckets with lid fitted with a ventilation hole, which is covered by a fine mesh (stocking) in order to prevent access of fruit flies. For the species, which produce cocoons on the wall (e.g.. Chelorrhina, Pachnoda), I use plastic containers semi-transparent or 5L jars. This allows me to keep track of interesting conversion of larvae in the mask, and then in its nymph shell. The larvae of some species (from genera Amaurodes, Eudicella, Chelorrhina , etc.) have had cannibalistic tendencies and be acting individually. A well used plastic tank with a lid, with larger species later small 4-litre bucket with a lid, or already mentioned 5L

The larvae of beetles are the three instary (developmental stages), then creates a cocoon from the surrounding material (box), in which the pupal stage and completes. The beetle, which is properly developed through Chrysalis and climbs up to the surface. This entire period is very different-the species-from about 4 months after approximately a year and a half.