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.Sexing of Chelorrhina polyphemus
- The most expensive beetles always lay the least amount of eggs
- If the most expensive beetle lays plenty - it is not in Your breeding
- You and Your friend are using absolutely same methods for breedings - but friend`s adults are always bigger than Yours
- If there is very rare species just hatched and only one cocoon left - it is always the same sex
You finally find an easy going method for breeding difficult species - the same method doesn`t work at all next time.
- If you buy X number of larvae from the beetle dealer in order to get female and male imago in the same time, you finally realize you probably should have bought X+1
- Mecynorhina ugandensis in Your breeding is always green or brown while others have red, black, purple, white…. gold.
- Dung added to the substate won`t be accepted by larvae, but cause horrible stinks in the house
- When you establish huge insectarium in You house - floods come.
:)))) PM.
1st page 2nd page 3rd page previous page
