Dynastes tityus pairing issues

DynastesDee

Tenebrio
Hi everyone, it's been about a week since my Dynastes tityus pair has gone out of diapause. Right now they’re quite active and feeding on beetle jelly, but not mating. Is it possible I have to wait longer for them to pair?

 
Yes. Just because they are eating does not mean they are mature yet. I would wait a few more weeks before they start mating.

 
Over the years, I believe I've definitely had some reproductive issues caused by having female tityus mate a bit too prematurely.  Even if they mate readily, it seems that if this happens too soon after becoming active, they do not produce fertile eggs.  So, best to wait a few weeks after they have started feeding - a month, maybe.  Of course, if you wait too long to mate them, they will loose reproductive viability.  After becoming ready to mate, I'm not sure how long it takes for tityus females to become incapable of being fertilized - maybe 90 days?

 
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TIP: Wait a few weeks longer. After that keep them in a smaller enclosure with sphagnum moss and jellies to witness mating. Once you witness a few sessions, put the female in the egg laying container.

 
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