HairyCelt

Hi All - I'm relatively new to beetles and this is my first post to the group. I think I may have managed to get my Manticora sp. to get as far as egg laying. The enclosure was prepared by adding about 12" sandy loam, compacting firmly and completely saturating with water. This was left for a month to dry out completely before adding assorted hides and a pair of beetles. They were fed an adult cricket each by forceps every 2-3 days. Mating was regular and pretty furious. They were kept in these conditions (bone dry) for about 10 weeks. The enclosure was flooded last week to a depth of 1-2" above the compacted substrate - enough to lift the beetles well clear of the ground. It was allowed to soak in and further water added over the course of the evening until the sub looked evenly moist. General behaviour seemed similar but somehow less fervid over the past week. Last night I found evidence of some major excavation and the female was nowhere to be seen, so hopefully laying eggs. Just have to hope the substrate is of suitable consistency to allow tunnel construction by the larvae. Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated. Ta