Beetle food

[カブトムシ]

What do adult xyloryctes thestalus eat? Also do males of this species fight? And does anyone know what the cottonwood stag beetle eats?

 

[Lucanus]

Both of the species prefer to feed on fruits. Your best option will be bananas.

 

[カブトムシ]

OK. I offered nectarines, but they didn't eat it. Thanks!

 

[カブトムシ]

hmm,they don't seem to be eating the bannana, and they are getting weaker

 

[Peter Clausen]

I think Orin has a bit of history with the X. thestalus, but most people have difficulty with them. I collected a few hundred once and none of them fed on any of the fruits I offered them. These swarm by the thousands for a few weeks of the year in some places. I believe they feed on tree roots, but I'm not sure. I saw them swarming out of a crack in the ground beneath some trees one night.

The stag beetles will feed on syrupy liquids. Nectarines should work, but apple or watered down syrup or brown sugar is fine (or beetle jellies, of course).

 

[カブトムシ]

Ok, I have never observed the stag eating, but he still seems healthy, so I assume he is doing it at night.