Raised Bed Soil

scottbot84

scottbot84

L3
 Hi All,

Just thought I would share that I've been having success with organic raised bed soil (which includes compost, etc.). I'm using Miracle Grow brand but I'm not sure I would endorse it, it's a bit pricey and it sounds like there are issues with plastic debris in the mix.

But overall it seems to be a good mix for my G. thula (some larvae have gotten quite large on it and decomposing leaves) and has served as a breeding substrate for my Ox Beetles (S. aloeus).into which they've deposited 30-40 eggs so far.

While I'm sure homemade/locally sourced substrate mixtures are better, this has worked quite well for something you can pick up at a home center.

 
Thanks for sharing Scott.

That's amazing that you got 30-40 eggs from S aloeus. I have tried everything in the past and I only seem to get a few eggs. I guess if I catch some more this summer, I'll have to try one more time. How many females do you have? Did you put anything else in the egg laying substrate for the Ox beetles? How deep is the bedding? Sorry for so many questions but I have yet to figure out how to get Ox beetles to lay eggs.

Thanks for any info!

 
I have 2 males and 4 females, so at this point I only have ~10 eggs per female, although production dropped off for a period due to what I'm pretty sure was overly dry substrate.

They're also captive bred (I got them from US beetles) which  I think makes a big difference.

The substrate is about 5" deep with the bottom inch or two compacted and about 1" of hardwood leaves on top, I keep them in a plastic tub that's around 10 gallons with a lid on top.

Food has mainly been brown sugar jellies (which they tear through) and ripe banana. I've got eggs starting from 6/9 that have yet to hatch, hopefully they will soon.

 
Hi Scott, thank you for all the information. Much appreciated. I think that even 10 per beetle is very good. I would occasionally get one that would lay 10 but others that would lay none so I think you are doing great. 

Thanks again and good luck with your breeding. Keep us updated when you get some nice grubs.

 
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