care of pair of Lucanus capreolus males?

E

Eric555

L1
After my recent discovery of their hideout near me, I also have collected and retained two males. They have been living for two weeks just in coffee cans and I have been adding either maple syrup or banana pieces every now and then, but I can't tell if they've been eating or not.

Not sure how much longer these guys will live, but any care/ feeding tips would be welcome.

Thanks!

 
Personally, I'd separate the males. They could be put in small containers filled with moist sphagnum moss. Just make sure there are enough air holes. Also, you're doing the right thing by offering them the banana.

 
Ratmosphere said:
Personally, I'd separate the males. They could be put in small containers filled with moist sphagnum moss. Just make sure there are enough air holes. Also, you're doing the right thing by offering them the banana.
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Ok, thanks. I forgot to mention that they are in separate cans as I didn't think from the start that it would be a good idea to keep them in the same can. For the moss, I suppose the left over Miracle Grow bag I have wouldn't be suitable since it was enriched with plant food, would it?

 
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Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, both Walmart and Tractor Supply, both close to me, didn't have anything suitable. They had huge bags, which I definitely don't need or want, but nothing smaller. Home Depot/ Lowes are both 30+ mi away so, for now, the coffee cans are just going to have to do unless there's an alternative to the peat.

 
Well, I managed to get to Home Depot and picked up a small bag of the no additive peat moss. I also picked up two small critter containers. Walmart has them, they have a carry handle, sides are clear plastic with a lid that has air holes. I wetted the moss, rung it out as dry and I could, and then placed a couple of inches into each container. I also placed banana slices in one corner on a small lid so as to hopefully keep the contents contained and not end up all over the moss. I added the beetles and they have been pretty much hiding within the moss. I have a couple of questions: 1) Did I do the right thing with the moistening method I used for the moss and how often should I re-moisten it? 2) How often should I change out the banana pieces, current ones are starting to get overripe with fruit flies starting to collect? Any other helpful tips would be welcomed. thanks

 
Yes, you did it right. When it seems to dry out just spray it more. Once you see mold on the banana or fruit flies accumulating, just take replace it.

 
The lifespan of the beetles generally depends on the time of year and how you collected them, maple pure natural maple syrup also increase the lifespan of the beetle, the male could live around four months at most.

 
Bugboy3092 said:
The lifespan of the beetles generally depends on the time of year and how you collected them, maple pure natural maple syrup also increase the lifespan of the beetle, the male could live around four months at most.
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Interesting you brought up maple syrup as I just logged in to ask about it. In fact, I switched out the bananas, after having a hard time keeping them from getting too ripe and having too many fruit flies, to maple syrup yesterday. Not pure, but diluted as I read that recommendation somewhere. Perhaps I should go back to pure?

 
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