Uloma spp. husbandry questions

[aspenentomology]

One of the most common beetles I find where I live (during the colder months at least) are Uloma spp. I've tried keeping them before, but ultimately they never bred. However, I have learned a lot since then, and have a few ideas about why I may have been unsuccessful. The reason I find them during winter, spring, and autumn, is because they hibernate in rotting logs (that's the only place I've ever found them). I was able to keep them alive until summer, where they became more active at night. This was when they all died. This leads me to believe that they might eat something other than rotting wood exclusively. I originally thought they exclusively ate rotting wood, as they dig tunnels into the wood and ate out caverns. Another possible explanation is that they only live about 8 months as adults and over winter as adults, being larvae (and pupae?) during summer. I'm not sure how plausible that is. So main questions are as follows:

1. What do they eat as adults and larvae? I originally assumed decomposing wood, but could they also eat fungus or dead things?

2. Do they require an overwintering period? I think the biggest mistake a made last time was not keeping them cold over winter. I know this is what triggers breeding in lots of beetles, so this time around I'm keeping them on my porch.

3. Have their been any documented cases of captive breeding? Is it challenging or are they not worth anyone's time?

I'm really looking forward to breeding these little guys, and tying to isolate strains of color variations (black and red basically), assuming those are traits that can be passed down. Any answers would be greatly appreciated, or even just a link to a website/pdf with information.

 

[AlexW]

When dealing with unusual species, research articles are your best friend.

This is the only Uloma-related article with notes on biology that I found was free:

goo.gl/ZMjqq5

If I were you, this is what I would do:

1. Conclude that something is wrong with the setup. Since "adults [of U. culinaris] live 2 years" and both adults/larvae of that sp overwinter, 8 months is rather suspicious. Generally, it is safe to assume that the attributes of one species in a genus mostly apply to other species in that genus. Of course, this rule does not apply to hyperdiverse genera, or those where each species specializes in something different.

2. Add some fruit/vegs/shrooms as supplemental food for adults and potential larvae. Tenebrionidae is a diverse family, but they are typically plant-based omnivores with extremely weak predatory abilities.

3. Since larvae live in wood, keep one side moist and one side dry so that they can self-regulate. U. culinaris likes moisture, but since not all Uloma are the same it is best to leave decisions to the insects themselves. If adults are kept happy, they will probably oviposit sooner or later.

4. I suspect the color variants may be different species. In one research paper, different Uloma spp were photographed, and some were black, others were brown. Darklings typically don't have color variants.

5. Uloma culinaris can fly. Like carabids, tenebrionids that can fly tend to do so infrequently. Still, a lid is a good idea.

6. Are you sure you want to make a breeding project? Larvae and adults of tenebrionids are typically very long-lived (adults from 4 months-2 years, depending on sp), even if the species is small in size. The Coniontis I am keeping was caught in summer and is still doing quite well, despite being only a centimeter long. It isn't very "watchable", and I am getting bored of it. Of course, if your Uloma are entertaining and pleasant to observe, go ahead with the project! The larvae of tenebs can be quite fascinating, too.

Cheers, and good luck!

 

[aspenentomology]

When dealing with unusual species, research articles are your best friend.

This is the only Uloma-related article with notes on biology that I found was free:

goo.gl/ZMjqq5

If I were you, this is what I would do:

1. Conclude that something is wrong with the setup. Since "adults [of U. culinaris] live 2 years" and both adults/larvae of that sp overwinter, 8 months is rather suspicious. Generally, it is safe to assume that the attributes of one species in a genus mostly apply to other species in that genus. Of course, this rule does not apply to hyperdiverse genera, or those where each species specializes in something different.

2. Add some fruit/vegs/shrooms as supplemental food for adults and potential larvae. Tenebrionidae is a diverse family, but they are typically plant-based omnivores with extremely weak predatory abilities.

3. Since larvae live in wood, keep one side moist and one side dry so that they can self-regulate. U. culinaris likes moisture, but since not all Uloma are the same it is best to leave decisions to the insects themselves. If adults are kept happy, they will probably oviposit sooner or later.

4. I suspect the color variants may be different species. In one research paper, different Uloma spp were photographed, and some were black, others were brown. Darklings typically don't have color variants.

5. Uloma culinaris can fly. Like carabids, tenebrionids that can fly tend to do so infrequently. Still, a lid is a good idea.

6. Are you sure you want to make a breeding project? Larvae and adults of tenebrionids are typically very long-lived (adults from 4 months-2 years, depending on sp), even if the species is small in size. The Coniontis I am keeping was caught in summer and is still doing quite well, despite being only a centimeter long. It isn't very "watchable", and I am getting bored of it. Of course, if your Uloma are entertaining and pleasant to observe, go ahead with the project! The larvae of tenebs can be quite fascinating, too.

Cheers, and good luck!

Thanks for the tips! I really appreciate it. It makes sense that different colors would be different species, as I know there are a lot of Uloma spp. where I live. If I go through with it and it works out, I'll post updates.

 

[Hisserdude]

I'd definitely try sticking some veggies or grain based foods in there, many Tenebs go crazy for that stuff. Rotten wood should definitely still be supplied though.

Overwintering may be a requirement for this species, depends just how harsh of a winter you have where you live.