Dynastes hyllus timing for pair

[samster]

Hi everyone!! 

I currently have 3 females in pupae, and 3 male larvae still taking their time to mature. What could I do to ensure I have a mating pair? Would it work (of be harmful) to put the females in diapause until the males pupate? How would I do that and how long can I do it for?

Thank you so much for your help! I hope the boys will soon realize there are girls waiting for them!

 

[Oak]

You can try to place male larvae in warmer temperatures(75-80°F)for faster pupation and place the emerged females in cool temperatures(~68°F) to extend their dormant period. 

 

[Dynastes]

Hi everyone!! 

I currently have 3 females in pupae, and 3 male larvae still taking their time to mature. What could I do to ensure I have a mating pair? Would it work (of be harmful) to put the females in diapause until the males pupate? How would I do that and how long can I do it for?

Thank you so much for your help! I hope the boys will soon realize there are girls waiting for them!

If they were D. tityus you could hibernate them for 18 months or longer safely at 50F but cooling down the tropical Dynastes much below 70 is just as likely to kill them. I'm curious to hear how it goes, you have 3 and could try 3 different temps.

 

[samster]

Hi everyone! So I managed to get one of the 3 boys to pupate. He was growing well and darkening until when I checked on him today - he's not moving. No signs of rotting to my naked eye.....any chance he's still okay or could revive?

 

[Oak]

The pupa looks fine to me. Don't handle it too much. That's how you often kill them.

 

[samster]

The pupa looks fine to me. Don't handle it too much. That's how you often kill them.

Thank you so much for your assurance Oak. This was the first time I actually handled him so I really hope he's ok. Fingers crossed! 

 

[Max]

That's a very nice size d. hyllus male. What substrate and temperatures did you use?

 

[samster]

That's a very nice size d. hyllus male. What substrate and temperatures did you use?

Hi Max,

I used Traeger's oak pellets to make the substrate and kept the temperature just around 20C.