Help identifying rotted log? Is ash wood suitable?

Scolipede

Scolipede

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Apologies for the handful of recent threads. But, today I searched my property for some decayed logs. In my wood pile I found a very large log that seems to be what I want. The wood is somewhat soft and crumbles in my hands. The only problem is, I have no idea what kind of wood it is. I was hoping someone could help me find out if is safe to use or not (if its even possible). I will be using it for millipedes currently but may use it for beetle larvae later on if it is suitable.

The types of trees I have on my property are: Ash, oak, maple, pine, apple, and cherry

I am almost certain it isn't pine or cherry.

I think it most likely is ash or maple. We had a lot of ash trees cut down last year. Is this an ok wood to use?

Here are some photos if it helps any.

thanks in advance!

wood.jpg

 
It's difficult to identify logs that have lost their bark, but all the trees you've listed with the exception of the pine should be acceptable for use. Pine can even be used if it's well-rotten and no residual sap and volatile chemicals remain.
If it's rotten enough that it's soft and almost like a bundle of fibers held together, it should be fine to use for whatever you're housing and feeding.

 
Shade of Eclipse said:
It's difficult to identify logs that have lost their bark, but all the trees you've listed with the exception of the pine should be acceptable for use. Pine can even be used if it's well-rotten and no residual sap and volatile chemicals remain.

If it's rotten enough that it's soft and almost like a bundle of fibers held together, it should be fine to use for whatever you're housing and feeding.
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Good to know, thanks! Are there any types of wood that entirely off limits for larvae?

 
In the U.S. - Cedar, Cypress, Catalpa, Juniper... I'm sure there are others.

Crush some in your hands and smell it - it shouldn't have any piney or chemical smell but should smell like mushrooms or dirt.

 
Most rhinoceros beetles prefer a much more decomposed substrate than rotten wood can provide. It should be almost like a compost and less like crushed rotten wood.

 
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Shade of Eclipse said:
Most rhinoceros beetles prefer a much more decomposed substrate than rotten wood can provide. It should be almost like a compost and less like crushed rotten wood.
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How can I recreate this? I am currently using premade substrate from japan (for hecules beetles) for it, but I would like to make my own.

 
Ok, just be cautious about who you tell regarding both any exotic species and ordering substrate from Japan (both would need different permits - I've thoroughly researched legal issues on them both - looking for loopholes)

 
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Beetle-Experience said:
Ok, just be cautious about who you tell regarding both any exotic species and ordering substrate from Japan (both would need different permits - I've thoroughly researched legal issues on them both - looking for loopholes)
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Oh really? Crap I did not know that. Thanks for letting me know. I got the sub off ebay so I didn't think it would be a problem. Bummer

 
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I'd wondered about permits for imported kinshi and substrate but didn't know that was a for sure thing. I wanted to order just substrate and jellies from overseas, but that's not a good idea? Thank you!

 
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I don't know about other states, but California is pretty strict about the shipment of soils and substrates from out of state due to the possibility of bringing in pathogens and other organisms.

 
Yes, and actually, substrate is technically not legal to even ship between states. They are worried about wood-born invaders. There are permits to move both soil and wood products, our substrate falls in the middle somewhere.

I didn't know this years ago when I ordered my first (and last) big box of substrate from Japan. I did a lot of checking into it this past summer and haven't found a legal way to import it; that's why I've stuck to only importing and selling jelly and non-wood supplies. Those wooden log-style jelly holders and the mushroom inoculated breeding logs from Japan also wouldn't be legal; it's aggravating.

 
Fascinating. And yet I order potted plants from all over the States. Georgia doesn't require phytosanitary permits for plants/bulbs between states. It's another story to import from other countries (though Canada has been fine).

In researching permits for insect importation, it seems that if I were to apply for a permit to import, I should be able to prove long-time good practice with used substrate containing frass &c. Does that seem reasonable or overkill or maybe useless?

 
Substrate and frass are not only a potential way to transport potentially devastating microbes, but can also carry small organisms or even the eggs and young of larger organisms. Many insects have small eggs or well-camouflaged eggs that can easily be lost amongts frass and substrate.

Many wood products cannot be shipped across the states without a permit and some are completely banned without a chance of permission due to certain wood-boring beetles and tree pathogens that could easily be spread and cause massive tree die-offs. Some examples are fungal such as blights and rusts and others are pathogenic algae such as those in the order Trentepohliales.

 
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