Chrysina gloriosa breeding

[Jotunblikk]

Hi from Norway,

In August/September last year we visited Arizona. Went up to Payson and was successful in finding several Dynastes Grantii. So today I have going 30 good sized L3 larvaes.

Also did some successful lighttrapping in Portal and among many species got some Chrysina gloriosa. A couple of females laid some 30 eggs, of which some 20 hatched in the first week of October. Each one got its separate plastic container filled with natural oak substrate and did/are doing fine (except two that unnoticed gnawed through the went holes in the plastic lids, escaped and succumbed)

My question is, as I am new to beetle breeding: when is it time for this species to pupate? They are now approximately 11 months old and vary in weight between 1,50 to 2,70 grams.  Is it time now to prepare bigger pupating boxes with clay bottoms (which I have ready)? Is it ok to put several larvaes in the same box? Do they make their chamber deep down…or is it good enough with 2 to 4 inces of soil above the clay?  And how much clay should be on the bottom. Quarter inch? Half inch?
From pupation, how much time do gloriosa they use before eclosing as adults?

I am very exited about having this beautiful beetle in my home and hope for success in my novice breeding. All tips and tricks from any of you with experience with this species much appreciated

Best regards

Hans

 

[Dynastes]

Your photo looks like that one already made a pupal cell, it's not a good idea to break them open even though they can rebuild them.

 

[Jotunblikk]

Your photo looks like that one already made a pupal cell, it's not a good idea to break them open even though they can rebuild them.

Ouch!  This is very my inexperience comes in.....
But I was sure I read somewhere that when they were ready to pupate, they would wander on top of the soil, as a sign of their maturity.
And that a layer of clay then should be provided on bottom of boxes to enable them to successfully make cells.

I have changed all now to boxes with clay bottoms and cross my fingers they will manage to "relocate" and build again.

 

[Dynastes]

Ouch!  This is very my inexperience comes in.....
But I was sure I read somewhere that when they were ready to pupate, they would wander on top of the soil, as a sign of their maturity.
And that a layer of clay then should be provided on bottom of boxes to enable them to successfully make cells.

I have changed all now to boxes with clay bottoms and cross my fingers they will manage to "relocate" and build again.

Did you dig all of them up? These can build new cells but it can stop their development or make them smaller. I've never seen them wander around the top but if the substrate is shallow or bad for building cells I'm sure they do.