Chrysomela populi terrarium

[dorifora]

Hi, lately I have decided to study some species of arthropods that live in my area, mostly beetles, and I want to start by setting up a terrarium for chrysomela populi, a very common one.

Since few people keep leaf beetles and I found very little information, can you suggest me what substrate to use (but I suppose it's not crucial with leaf beetles), what to feed them (only green poplar leaves?) and how to take care of them in general?

Do you think I can use a substrate made of rotten wood, leaves and soil for beetles that spend their larva stage underground? Can I use coconut fibre or only compost?

 

[JKim]

@dorifora

Both adults and larvae feed on plant leaves of poplar and willows. I collected 100+ in a single poplar plant that is about the height of adult male, and ~1m² wide in Yeosu, South Korea, a decade ago.


A picture of the plant I collected both larvae and adults.


Another picture of adult (left) and larva (right) documented and collected from one same plant.

Most plant (leaves) eating insects require an enclosure with high ventilation, fresh leaves to be provided daily basis.