Beginner looking for beetles.

K

Kati Lee

L3
Hello, I’m newer to beetles, right now I have six Gymnetis thula that’s I’m really enjoying. I’d like to start a new enclosure, I’m not looking for anything specific since I’m new. I’m just curious what’s out there! I’m open to larva or adults, although with larva I might also ask advise, it seems more intimidating for some reason. Let me know what you have and thank you!

 
Ox Beetles (Strategus aloeus) and Western Hercules Beetles (Dynastes tityus) are easy species to rear and breed. Since you are keeping Gymnetis thula, two should be okay, and can be similarly kept.

Let me know if you are interested.

 
I am interested in both these, I think they’re beautiful. Can I ask you what might be a stupid question? I know both of these varieties have a long stage from egg to adult. What do you do with them while you wait? Since the adults have a shorter lifespan I need to learn to love the grub I think!

 
Kati Lee said:
I am interested in both these, I think they’re beautiful. Can I ask you what might be a stupid question? I know both of these varieties have a long stage from egg to adult. What do you do with them while you wait? Since the adults have a shorter lifespan I need to learn to love the grub I think!
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Ox Beetles emerge within an year, while Western Hercules Beetles can, but may exceed an year to become adults. Time they spend as larvae depends on temperature and environment (food quality). Larvae, may not be quite interesting as they are always under substrate, but when you check them once upon a time, and observe how large they grew up, that would be very exciting!

I reared and studied beetles for about 20 years now, keeping hundreds and thousands of beetles at a time. I just keep them in container, don't bother, and check them monthly, or so to confirm they are doing well. They may not need your attention like everyday, but you still have to watch out for any pest infection or humidity of substrate to make sure they are well maintained.

Nothing hard, just little routine attention is needed.

 
JKim said:
Ox Beetles (Strategus aloeus) and Western Hercules Beetles (Dynastes tityus) are easy species to rear and breed. Since you are keeping Gymnetis thula, two should be okay, and can be similarly kept.

Let me know if you are interested.
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You have Western tityus?

 
@Dynastes @Kati Lee

Hahaha my bad! Thank you for bringing this up, because I totally missed it!!
A little confusion over names. I rarely ever use common names, so I got all mixed up!

Western = Dynastes grantii Horn
Eastern = Dynastes tityus (Linnaeus)

But... maybe I can call my tityus as western tityus, since it is from Louisiana, and is western specimens for its occurrence in the US.😅😅 jk jk..

 
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Kati Lee said:
I am interested in both these, I think they’re beautiful. Can I ask you what might be a stupid question? I know both of these varieties have a long stage from egg to adult. What do you do with them while you wait? Since the adults have a shorter lifespan I need to learn to love the grub I think!
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You don't have to love the wait for Christmas to love Christmas morning (when the beetles become adults).

 
I have some extra Dynastes tityus for sale and would happy to answer any questions you have. They were the first beetle I started with too.
 




 
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Thank you to everyone for the suggestions and knowledge! I picked up a few eastern Hercules larva and have been enjoying watching the process. 

 
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