Local Eleodes sp. development

[Ometeo]

These were collected in their larval state inside of a piece of decomposed hardwood.

Sample of wood.

 

Pupal cell inside

 

Inside pupal cell

 

Pupae

 

A couple of hours after eclosion

 

A couple of days after eclosion

 

6 days after eclosion it's out and about.

Notice the little dimple on the left elytron? Might have bumped it whilst the exo was still fresh.

 

It's darkened completely by now , and that bump does not seem to affect mobility in any way.

 

It looks like three of them have eclosed, and there are two more in pupal state.

 

I've also got 1'st, second and third instar larvae from two different females of the same genus (likely the same species) that were collected from the same locality.

 

These are being kept in a mixture of flake soil, manure and top soil.

 

Gotta love these little beetles

[Dynastes]

What state are they from and what's the adult size in millimeters?

[Ometeo]

Hello Orin,

 

These are from California, East of Los Angeles city.

 

They are about 30mm in length.

 

Think you might know what species?

[Peter Clausen]

Interesting photos! Tenebs are such a great group to keep.

[Dynastes]

 

 

Think you might know what species?

I don't even know if they're really Eleodes, there are so many darklings.

[Ometeo]

It could poddibly be Coelocnemis californicus, looking for keys of sorts

[shoegazer]

Very cool!

 

I've got some developing larvae now from E. fusiformis, tricostata, hispilabris...and a 4th, unidentified species. Very easy to keep and they breed constantly.

 

Glad to see some other darkling keepers! These things are fantastic captive insects - almost always busy.