Lighting For Pet Beetles

Bugoodle

Bugoodle

Pupa
What's the recommended light bulb for pet beetles? They currently share light from my art table lamp which has a regular white light bulb. They have a heating mat so I don't want something that produces much heat. I heard that too much exposure to UVA bulbs are toxic to insects and not recommended for pet bugs. Is that true? Also, my Dyscinetus morator, is nocturnal and I was wondering if I should give him a UV black light for him at night. I have one, I think it's 25 watts. Just want to make sure everything's safe though.

Thanks for any help!

 
Personally have not heard of people using UV lights for keeping beetles. The reason some animals require it is to facilitate certain metabolic growth functions. However, that is pretty obsolete in an adult beetle. Adult beetles do not grow or change in size anymore. In addition, nocturnal species will naturally rarely get much UV light normally. I would say it is unneeded and probably would do more harm than good.

 
True, they don't require lights.  I only know about Teneb habitats, but if you have a light, Peter Clausen recommended to me a 60 watt bulb.  Having it on during the day makes them more active.  I have a lamp with a 60 watt bulb next to my 22-gallon tank; it's over the side of the tank that has a large cork bark round about 5" high.  The little ones love to climb up on what I call the "sun deck," right under the light.  They also like to hang out on that side of the tank in the late afternoon / early evening.  This is a very safe wattage, because I can leave my finger on the bulb without discomfort.  I turn off the lamp around 8:00 pm.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top