Most Space Efficient Containers

D

darktheumbreon

L3
After looking at all the fancy containers that they use for beetles in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, I was thinking about how much space my beetle grubs have been taking up lately, and how much space they would take up in the future as well.

Thus, I was wondering on what space saving ideas people have for their beetles (and how you ensure ventilation) in the states? Currently I just use 32oz and 16oz deli containers and mason jars, and I feel like they are a very inefficient shape.

 
Do you prefer the square shaped containers more or the circular ones?

Well, it depends on the size of the larvae at maturity, the amount of pupation space needed, and the depth that the larvae prefer for building pupal cells.  The 9 oz cups w/ lids work well for things like Chrysina spp., while something like Dynastes tityus can easily pupate in a 64 oz rectangular food container (and possibly even a 32 oz deli cup, at least for females).  I used to keep tityus individually years ago, but later found that keeping them in groups of 8 to 10 per 10 gal. tank works just fine.  Many Flower Scarabs (such as Gymnetis thula) can also be reared in groups without any issues.  My latest work with Chrysina however, suggests that individual rearing in small containers is probably best (helps maintain the right moisture level).

Also, how do you prefer to ventilate the food containers?

A series of evenly-spaced pin holes made in the lids, the number of which will depend upon the size of the containers.  It's the best way I've found to prevent infestation by fungus gnats, and have been using this method for years.  It also allows for proper moisture retention / control.

 
Any US Lucanid and Dynastine scarab beetle species can be reared without a problem in a 32 oz or below. I reared numerous numbers of Dynastes grantii, D. tityus, Strategus aloeus in 32 oz. Many small species like Platycerus spp. can even be reared in 2 oz or below. I reared multiple larvae (1 to 10 larvae) Pelidnota punctata, Chrysina gloriosa, Gymnetis thula, Osmoderma scabra in 16 oz container.

These containers I mentioned are mostly cylindrical and rectangular about half and half. Depending on each species, their space requirements may differ. For example, as Dynastine scarabs usually construct their pupal cell vertically or diagonally, I chose containers that has enough depth (or height) to have enough space available for them. Any Lucanids or Rutelines usually construct their pupal cell horizontally, so I didn't worry about the depth (or height) much.

I make only one to four pin holes on lid or on wall next to lid for ventilation. Insects do not continuously breath like humans or many other animals can do, so huge or large number of holes are NOT REQUIRED, unless that insects are feeding on fresh vegetation (like butterflies or moth caterpillars feeding on leaves, which may decompose over time and produce gas to suffocate caterpillars).

 
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