Fuzzy Darkling Seizure??

B

Beetlebee

Pupa
I bought a few fuzzy darkling beetles from Peter at bugsincyberspace not too long ago. I've had the beetles for a while and all came healthy!! However, just today one of my fuzzy darkling beetles is appearing to be moving like its having a seizure. It's flipped onto its back and its legs are flailing everywhere and it won't stop. If i flip it over, it's legs move so much that it flips right over again onto it's back and continues to flail it's legs. Does anyone have any idea what's happening?

 
Unfortunately the beetle is probably near the end of its life. Before dying, many beetles and other bugs will end up on their backs. If it doesn't improve quickly, you can give it a painless death by putting it in the freezer.

 
I don't know personally, but I've got a few of the little fuzzies. I've also had a couple die. Months to a year, I would guess, based on my own experience. Peter could probably give you a better idea. I'm not sure if his fuzzies are captive-bred or wild-caught, but if they're caught, who knows how old they were to begin with. When a bug's nervous system begins failing, either from old age or poison or whatever (this is why roaches will die on their backs once they've ingested an insecticide), they end up on their backs. There's probably not much you can do for the little guy other than put it out of its misery.
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He's wiggling so much though, even if I hold him upright, is there any reason for the wiggling? I imagine something is wacky in his nervous system?

 
Probably yeah, his nervous system is going haywire. He'll try to right himself and then be unable to stay that way because his coordination is failing. It's no fun to watch, I know. I've had a few beetles I've had to put down with the freezer method when they get like that. It sucks, but I figure it's the kindest thing to do for them at that point.

 
Arizonablue is correct on the fact that the beetle may be dying. The cause may be due to it nearing the end of its life or exposure to insecticide. Insecticides often contain chemical compounds that serve as acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, which prevents the break down of acetylcholine, thus overstimulates the nervous system and causes the insect to die.

 
Yeah, the little guy passed away today :/ I just lost one other one a few days ago too. He was acting quite sluggish before he died, so I think he was a bit old too. With beetles live spans were longer!

 
Aw, sorry to hear that. Yeah, most beetles aren't terribly long-lived, sadly. But you gave the little guys a nice place to live where they wouldn't be eaten by predators, with an endless supply of food - that's all that a beetle can ask for.
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Sorry to hear that, they must have been old. I believe that most of the darklings at BIC are wild caught, normally adult darkling beetles live a few years as adults, however since his are WC who knows how long they've been living.

 
So I have some crazy news!! It's not dead!! I took it out of the tank and put it aside to keep as a specimen, and it hasnt moved these past four days, today i took it out to show someone and it started moving!!!!!!! What?????? How could this be???????

 
If i put it back in the tank, it freezes and won't move, but the other three of the same species do fine in the tank. Not sure what's up with that.

 
I took it back out and while its definitely still alive and keeps a grip on my finger, if I put it down itll just sit exactly how i put it down and not move to straighten itself out... Definitely seems like he won't last long again, but it's interesting to see it behave or react this way.

 
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