How do you know if larvae is eating?
- Thread starter newbie007
- Start date
It's also a good question.
Sign #1- it doesn't die
Sign#2- it grows
Sign #3- there will be tunneling, sometimes just a chamber the grub seems to crawl about in and eat. I've never noticed frass, at least that I recognize as
being such.
Sign#4- the substrate level may change as it's consumed, or the look of the substrate will be different.
I've got 5 Lucanus elephus grubs, I think my substrate could be better, because they are taking some time, but, they keep getting bigger,
I check them every few weeks and supplement with koi pellets, the last time I looked, last week, was encouraging, visibly larger larva, plodding
along.
I check them by tipping the container until the grub is exposed just enough to have a look, I use a secondary container for the loose substrate, then replace it.
Sign #1- it doesn't die
Sign#2- it grows
Sign #3- there will be tunneling, sometimes just a chamber the grub seems to crawl about in and eat. I've never noticed frass, at least that I recognize as
being such.
Sign#4- the substrate level may change as it's consumed, or the look of the substrate will be different.
I've got 5 Lucanus elephus grubs, I think my substrate could be better, because they are taking some time, but, they keep getting bigger,
I check them every few weeks and supplement with koi pellets, the last time I looked, last week, was encouraging, visibly larger larva, plodding
along.
I check them by tipping the container until the grub is exposed just enough to have a look, I use a secondary container for the loose substrate, then replace it.
1) Hasn't died yet
2) no idea yet
3) Yeah it set up it's chamber at the bottom of the cup I have it in. It's been staying there since it burrowed there so good sign I guess
4) Yeah I've noticed it seems to be spreading around this different colored stuff, not sure if it's waste or what, but it was fully visible before now it's covered the side of the container with the greyish circled stuff.
Hey what substrate are you using? Also looks a bit wet, if you could dry it out a bit I think your larva would be happier.
Definitely need to let that substrate dry out or risk some nasty fungus growth. And to the original question - you won't really know if they're eating, and the more you mess with the container to try and figure it out, the more harm you could be doing the larvae. I know it's tempting to check on them! The only way to know if they're doing well is to leave them alone for at least a couple weeks (other than a quick surface check for moisture level), then carefully dump the contents and check the larvae for any visible growth or decline, as well as poop (a dark brown color that looks like a different texture than the surrounding substrate).
I never feed supplemental protein to my stags (and I've raised a few species), so I can't really say how important it really is. I do know it's a minor part of their diet (compared to several other types of beetle larvae), so there's no point in supplementing until you get your substrate right. Dog or fish food won't keep them alive if they don't have a decent source of rotten wood chunks or flake soil. Plus, if you aren't used to raising them it's easy to use supplemental food incorrectly, which can lead to outbreaks of mites, fungus, etc.
So, less is more when it comes to stag larvae in my experience.
I never feed supplemental protein to my stags (and I've raised a few species), so I can't really say how important it really is. I do know it's a minor part of their diet (compared to several other types of beetle larvae), so there's no point in supplementing until you get your substrate right. Dog or fish food won't keep them alive if they don't have a decent source of rotten wood chunks or flake soil. Plus, if you aren't used to raising them it's easy to use supplemental food incorrectly, which can lead to outbreaks of mites, fungus, etc.
So, less is more when it comes to stag larvae in my experience.
Yeah I am leaving the lid open so it dries out a bit. As for checking on it, I don't really want to because I read that when they start making their pupa chamber it is super important that it is smooth to prevent deformities on the beetle. I'll just stay patient. It seems to be doing something so it's a good sign at least in my eyes lol.
Ha! Yep, doing something means it's not dead at the very least. What species is it? And is it L3 already?
A lot of good advice.
When I first got my elephus grubs, I had the flake soil from BIC, and mixed it with wild collected material.
I thought I had everything going well- until I found a grub outside of the container, I use a large bin to keep my
individual containers in, in case of this occurring, but then I realized the obvious. Use a taller individual container and
fill it with less substrate, so the grub can't reach the top. At any rate, now they all hang out in the bottoms of the containers,
doing grub stuff. I use square containers, about 4x4 x 6' tall with pin holes poked in the lids, moisture is pretty much constant,
with no need to add or subtract water.
When I first got my elephus grubs, I had the flake soil from BIC, and mixed it with wild collected material.
I thought I had everything going well- until I found a grub outside of the container, I use a large bin to keep my
individual containers in, in case of this occurring, but then I realized the obvious. Use a taller individual container and
fill it with less substrate, so the grub can't reach the top. At any rate, now they all hang out in the bottoms of the containers,
doing grub stuff. I use square containers, about 4x4 x 6' tall with pin holes poked in the lids, moisture is pretty much constant,
with no need to add or subtract water.
I have no clue, found it in the wild. Here in Louisville the two species that it could be are Elaphus or Capreolus, really hoping for a male Elaphus. Also hoping it's L3, it was pretty big when I found it and immediately molted.
If it's pretty big then yes, it would be L3 this time of year. Will probably pupate around August. Good luck!