Lucanus Elaphus substrate question

If you have access to white rotted wood chunks and flake soil , that’s supposed to work well. Large chunks of the wood for the larvae to chew in to is the best IMO. 

 
L elaphus really like to burrow into chunks of white rotten wood, but they don't need to be too big. I normally try to include pieces about 6 inches long, 3 inches wide with some flake soil or regular forest soil from where I find the larvae. Mine have also been reared in just flake soil made from oak pellets, and they seem to like that too. Based on where I find them in the wild, they aren't super picky about substrate as long as it isn't completely broken down and dark brown yet.

 
I've read that chunks are good for larger beetles, and that's going to be more of a natural medium than sawdust size material.

It would be interesting to have control groups to see what works best, I think the finer material produces quicker results, but I'm just

starting, I do know that the material I use- a mix of purchased flake and wild collected material seems to be taking a long time,

but the grubs are indoors and healthy.

 
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