Beautiful Bugs Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 I know very little about these rainbow scarabs (sounds so much better than the other LOL) And I read all the threads here on them. Is there a step by step someone can giveme on breeding these beautiful beetles? Has anyone found a substitute for fecies? Like a protein based clay? Has anyone tried? I read the aduts can possibly do mushrooms, applesauce or bananas. I finally found the beetle I want to start with, now I have load up on all facts I can. heh I've been all over the web, but nothing beats personal experience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Have you found a way to source them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skink Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 They only need to be provided with dung if you want to breed them. There is no substitute for dung when it comes to the females making brood balls. Nobody has succesfully replaced a dung brood ball with a fake brood ball as of yet. The adults can be kept with no dung around just fine provided egg laying isn't the end goal for them From the sounds of it, just provide them with dung (not compost) and substrate deep enough to bury the brood balls, and they do the rest! Use sifted dirt from your yard, or mix pesticide free plant food free soils mixed with some sand as substrate and press it down nice and firm, then put some loose on top. Keep it humid but not dripping. Give them a good sized wad of herbivore crap once a week or so and keep food constantly available, and you'll have busy, happy beetles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beautiful Bugs Posted January 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Jordan, LOL Nope. I learn until I have a headache and read until my eyes bleed, so I know all the ins and outs BEFORE I deal with live animals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beautiful Bugs Posted January 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Will organic manure from the plant section at the store work? How deep does the substrate have to be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skink Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Manure for gardens is composted manure, so no, it would not work. I think its 4 - 7 inches, the deeper the better. Make sure they still have lots of floor space too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beautiful Bugs Posted January 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 I'm confused. What is the difference between composted and raw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skink Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Composted manure has been allowed to decay and is broken down. This makes it more suitable for plants, but less suitable for dung beetles. Nutritional worth varies by stage of decay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beautiful Bugs Posted January 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Interesting. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ometeo Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 http://scabies.myfreeforum.org/sutra45160.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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