Gymnetis caseyi

K

klawfran3

L3
Hello all, I'm new to the forum and the hobby and recently picked up five L2-3 G. caseyi larvae. I have a basic idea on their care but have a few questions if anyone would be so kind as to answer them for me.

-How big to the larvae get? do they get as big as C. mutabilis larvae or are they a bit smaller?

-They should be kept relatively moist, but not soaking correct? and do I need to provide them with an extra source of water (eg. apple or potato?)

-how long does their pupal stage last?

-How quickly do they grow from hatching to imago?

Thank you and sorry if these seem to very basic questions, I just want to be sure I'm doing everything I can right.

 
I've got a picture somewhere of my larvae shortly before they pupated, I'll see if I can find it so you can have an idea of the size. Mine pupated for a couple of weeks, although I'm not sure exactly how long it was since I wasn't checking on them too often. A month or less for pupation, I think.

The substrate should be moist but not wet. (Squeeze it in your hand and if it clumps a bit but doesn't drip, that's good.) You can give them apple or dog kibble as a supplement but the only thing I gave mine was the leaflitter mix from BIC and they did just fine.

 
Found the pics. I'd say the larvae were about an inch, maybe a bit more. They'll make these pupal cells in the substrate, and then chew their way out and you'll find the beetle on the surface. It'll be a greenish black immediately after it emerges, but once it dries out in the air it will turn yellow.

IMG_5534.JPG FullSizeRender.jpg

 
Awesome, so I guess I'm doing things pretty well so far. Mine are about that size, maybe a little smaller. I assume they turn yellowish when they get ready to pupate?

And sweet, thank you for the photos. they looks great!

 
Yep, basically just put them in suitable substrate and watch for the beetles to emerge! I didn't notice mine turning yellowish, but I wasn't checking on them too often and they seemed to stay in the middle of the container instead of roaming around the sides where I could see them. Those were the last photos I took before they pupated, probably about three or four weeks before they made the pupal cells.

 
Just got the first pupal cell today! It seems small but I guess that happens. Either way I'm still extremely excited and can't wait to start the breeding I've been meaning to do!

My plan with these is to try to create a strain of these beetles that's a distinctive color, either a deep orange or having tons of/almost no black on them. Well see if any of the adults have any distinctive colors and if not I'll raise up their young and check those. Hopefully I can get something cool out of them!

 
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