Stag beetle substrate

[Dak.the.bug]

Hello!

I'm expecting some adult L.elaphus soon. I have The Complete Guide to Rearing the Elephant Stag Beetle, and it says that when I am making the set up for the beetles, there has to be a couple inches of compost manure, if I cannot get this, are there any alternatives?

I'm mainly posting this because I had a question about feeding the female stags, the care guide says that they can eat superworm pupa,  could I substitute this with meal worm pupa? What are some other alternatives for this? 

 

[Ratmosphere]

Never tried the superworm pupa method, just straight up beetle jellies. Compost manure is not required and could be substituted with organic potting soil and decayed leaf litter.

Making your own substrate is fairly simple and it gives you a lot to work with. Below is one of my guides on how to produce it. 

 

[JKim]

Hello!

I'm expecting some adult L.elaphus soon. I have The Complete Guide to Rearing the Elephant Stag Beetle, and it says that when I am making the set up for the beetles, there has to be a couple inches of compost manure, if I cannot get this, are there any alternatives?

I'm mainly posting this because I had a question about feeding the female stags, the care guide says that they can eat superworm pupa,  could I substitute this with meal worm pupa? What are some other alternatives for this? 

You need substrate so that mated female can lay eggs, not to feed adult beetles. Adult beetles can feed on fruits, tree sap, commercially available beetle jelly. An alternative for substrate is any organic garden compost or potting soil, containing all the plant materials (not top soil). Producing your own substrate may take over a month without a proper equipment.

 

[Dak.the.bug]

You need substrate so that mated female can lay eggs, not to feed adult beetles. Adult beetles can feed on fruits, tree sap, commercially available beetle jelly. An alternative for substrate is any organic garden compost or potting soil, containing all the plant materials (not top soil). Producing your own substrate may take over a month without a proper equipment.

I know adult beetles won't eat the substrate, but I was just reading that more protein in the diet of the females can make them produce more eggs. There seemed to be a certain substrate mix that needs to be achieved in order to get them to breed, so that's why I was asking about substrate. 

 

[Dak.the.bug]

2 hours ago, Ratmosphere said:

Never tried the superworm pupa method, just straight up beetle jellies. Compost manure is not required and could be substituted with organic potting soil and decayed leaf litter.

Making your own substrate is fairly simple and it gives you a lot to work with. Below is one of my guides on how to produce it. 

I used your old method, but am currently waiting on a shipment of new pellets so I can use your new method.