Orchid Bark

[Soph]

Hi everyone. First post. Just getting ready for my first ever beetle grubs. Pachnoda marginata!

Ive read various articles and websites and what not. Hearing that they're very hardy and able to withstand even the newest of beetle keeper hands (waves lol).

Got my tanks set up. And I've used orchid bark as part of the substrate mix. Now I've since read. That's not the best. When I'm ready to change the substrate, or if it arrives before my grubs do... I'll be using oak wood chips in the future.

Will the orchid bark do them much harm? Or will they be okay for this cycle of substrate? Thanks in advance! 

Edit: meant to also ask. Are beech chips worth using? For the grubs to eat?

 

[QuissettHouse]

I've no personal experience trying different substrates, so I can't say for sure what would happen. That being said, I would steer WELL clear of the orchid bark. It usually uses pine bark which, to my knowledge, is a no-no for keeping beetle grubs. I'm not sure how long you'd be keeping them in that, but I would try to get them out ASAP if I could

 

[Goliathus]

Scarab beetle larvae can't eat wood chips - they can't chew or digest wood in this raw, solid form.  It needs to be decayed hardwood sawdust (fine particles of rotten wood).  This is what is commonly referred to as "flake soil" in the hobby, and is a product prepared specifically for rearing beetles.  If you are unable to obtain this, the only other option is to gather some rotten wood from the wild, in an area that has not been treated with any insecticides.  Alternatively, beetles such as Pachnoda spp. can in fact be successfully reared on decayed leaf litter.  Oak leaf litter is optimal, if you have access to some.

 

[Soph]

I've no personal experience trying different substrates, so I can't say for sure what would happen. That being said, I would steer WELL clear of the orchid bark. It usually uses pine bark which, to my knowledge, is a no-no for keeping beetle grubs. I'm not sure how long you'd be keeping them in that, but I would try to get them out ASAP if I could

Scarab beetle larvae can't eat wood chips - they can't chew or digest wood in this raw, solid form.  It needs to be decayed hardwood sawdust (fine particles of rotten wood).  This is what is commonly referred to as "flake soil" in the hobby, and is a product prepared specifically for rearing beetles.  If you are unable to obtain this, the only other option is to gather some rotten wood from the wild, in an area that has not been treated with any insecticides.  Alternatively, beetles such as Pachnoda spp. can in fact be successfully reared on decayed leaf litter.  Oak leaf litter is optimal, if you have access to some.

Thanks to you both, it's appreciated! I have since bought some oak sawdust pellets that you expand with water, and I've bought some leaf litter from ebay etc. The orchid bark was long gone by the time my grubs arrived. A lot of them have pupated and I'm just waiting on the adults to emerge.

If I enjoy the adults as much as I have looking after the grubs, I'll look into making my own flake soil. 

Cheers!

 

[Reyes]

I only used orchid bark for adult, never larvae so I don’t recommend using it.

I usually use it for other inverts.