Dynastes tityus L2 vs L3

[Greatwun]

Checked on my D. tityus larvae today and to my surprise I found one larva that became an L3. Below is a photo of the comparison between one of my L2s to the L3 grub. Its got a much larger head capsule and lots of hairs all over the body. Its like its going through puberty lol.

About two weeks ago all of my D. tityus grubs stopped gaining weight. I thought this was strange and could not figure out why. Well one of them is now an L3 and has put on a little bit of weight. Has anyone else experienced grubs that stop gaining weight before they molt? This larva was at 4.2 grams before he molted.

 

[Matt]

It is fairly standard to see larvae stop putting on weight or even loose a smal amount of weight prior to them moulting.

 

[Greatwun]

That's what I thought but I could not find this info in the book "For the love of rhinoceros and stag beetles". My snakes would stop eating before shedding which is why I thought my beetle were doing this too.