D. tityus grub

[pannaking22]

So I found a D. tityus grub during the summer this year (mid-late July I believe) and I've been keeping it in a box with substrate from the tree I pulled it from. Seems like a later instar since it's quite large. About a week ago, it seemed like it was beginning to make a pupal cell, but then it stopped and starting roaming around again, sometime even on the surface. I've never had one of these before, so would that be considered normal, or should I switch things up a bit? I can also provide pictures if needed.

 

Thanks!

[Bill Myers]

Roaming around usually means its hungry. Have you tried adding some new substrate and a dash of dog food?

[GeneralZero]

Add more leaf substrate to it not the leaves from the top of the ground you need about 2 inches down and get the rotted stuff.

[Satanas]

if it was constructing a pupal cell then you need to transfer it to clay so that it can construct one.(you dont have to do this but the longer you wait then the smaller of a beetle you will have)

[pannaking22]

Good to know. I'll add some new substrate and see where we go from there. If it looks like it's building a pupal cell again I'll switch it into a clay based substrate. What sort of clay do you recommend?

[Oak]

if they are building a pupal cell, they shouldn't really come up. They should stay in like a spot for days.

[Satanas]

i live in georgia so red clay is readily available to me, if you dont have much nautral clay then just leave the larvae alone and let it sit for a couple of months

[pannaking22]

Cool, thanks for the info everyone. Very helpful!