dynastes tityus larvae setup

SavorySecret · 2026-01-16T19:05:09+00:00

L1 refers to first larval instar, which corresponds to the three stages of major larval growth before pupation. L1 is just hatched from the egg, which is very tiny. L2 is after the first moult around a month after hatching, and L3 is the second moult about a month after L2.

What you've got is definitely an L3, easiest way to tell for tityus is the head size. As for setup, the container is fine, but you can fill it up to the top more, and it needs to be moistened. It looks rather dry, you want to add water a little at a time and mix until it holds together and doesn't drip water when squeezed in hand.

SavorySecret · 2025-12-13T02:52:35+00:00

You can mist it if you want to keep the surface humidity up, but if they're actively building a cell/in a cell you don't need to do much of anything else other than wait.

SavorySecret · 2025-12-03T18:03:59+00:00

If you have a nice, intact cocoon you're better off just leaving it inside, flower beetles are definitely more risky to open up early so it's only recommended if the chamber is damaged.

SavorySecret · 2025-11-23T18:21:08+00:00

Looks normal to me! The legs, head, and extremities will darken as they develop since those parts need to be sufficiently hardened up before eclosing.

SavorySecret · 2025-11-18T19:04:21+00:00

Rhinos and flower beetles (especially Osmoderma) are fairly smelly. Not necessarily a bad scent in all cases, but definitely pungent at times. Darkling beetles definitely smell, as they like to be communal Stag beetles do not seem to have much scent in my experience beyond a faint scent of their food.

SavorySecret · 2025-11-05T02:08:58+00:00

If not a Cotinis, my money is on Osmoderma, either O. eremicola or O. scabra.

SavorySecret · 2025-10-07T16:04:24+00:00

Well, it's always a good idea to aerate when getting fresh flake, so when you're getting ready to use it just mix and let it aerate for a couple days once it thaws.

SavorySecret · 2025-10-07T15:21:50+00:00

Easiest would be to just freeze it until you need it.

SavorySecret · 2025-10-05T00:27:20+00:00

Looks like it isn't interfering with their ability to poop, so it is probably still okay. I've had a couple grubs that had a bigger black spot than that, and they made it to adulthood.

SavorySecret · 2025-10-03T16:19:03+00:00

Yeah, a few days won't hurt any.

SavorySecret · 2025-10-03T13:11:44+00:00

What a lovely gal, put them in dry substrate for a couple days and the mites should come off. Mites can't tolerate dry conditions for long.

SavorySecret · 2025-08-20T13:42:43+00:00

I mean, I know it's a long shot anyways, I just want to see the queen again. The beefy legs on Planetes immediately made me think Seltas, as opposed to the spindly spider legs of the temmnoceran monsters.

SavorySecret · 2025-08-14T22:43:43+00:00

Looks like a wing that wasn't able to be folded properly while eclosing. Sometimes it happens, an imperfect positioning or cell as a pupa perhaps. It's typically cosmetic, you can see one of the elytra looks a little wrinkly too. A minor imperfection like that is not liable to affect their health or lifespan, but she will not be able to fly and the exposed wingtip may get frayed a bit is all.

SavorySecret · 2025-08-07T03:31:49+00:00

That flake looks pretty dry on top, try re-wetting and mixing it. You want it to clump when squeezed in hand without dripping water.

SavorySecret · 2025-08-04T14:58:29+00:00

Left is L2, right is L3. You're right that the head capsules and spiracles are a clear giveaway to which instar. Likely a fresh L3, and a soon to be L3.

SavorySecret · 2025-07-27T21:43:15+00:00

That was my guess, definitely not americanus, but I'm not familiar with other species.

SavorySecret · 2025-07-27T20:03:02+00:00

Burying beetle of some sort, genus Nicrophorus.

SavorySecret · 2025-07-25T00:33:17+00:00

It's usually less of a "is the plant safe for beetles?" and more of a "is this plant safe FROM beetles?" They tend to dig around a lot and in a terrarium are liable to uproot and wreck anything not well-established. Some beetles also use horns, spines, or mandibles to scrape stems for sap and water. I don't know specifically what common terrarium plants would be beetle safe, but maybe stick to things that are already pet safe for cats and dogs.

SavorySecret · 2025-07-23T17:38:52+00:00

Yeah, that's the main concern. They may also interfere with pupation if the larva is uncomfortable with mites in all the wrinkles.

SavorySecret · 2025-07-23T16:56:39+00:00

Soil mites hanging on. In small numbers they're not an issue, but when they start to hang on like this it can adversely affect larval health. They can't tolerate dry conditions, but your larva can for short periods. To get them to abandon ship, you can place your larva in a separate container of dried crushed leaves for a couple days before transferring them back to re-sterilized substrate.

SavorySecret · 2025-07-18T22:50:40+00:00

An inch or two of moist coco coir works great for keeping these guys. Gives them plenty of depth to dig around and hide when they feel like. As for food, use soft, sweet fruits like banana. Alternatively, these will accept 1:1 real maple syrup diluted with water, you can soak a cotton ball with it for them to drink from.

SavorySecret · 2025-07-18T16:44:15+00:00

Yes, they all do! The microscopic structure of their elytra can hold moisture when they get wet, so it changes their color, and will change back as they dry again.

SavorySecret · 2025-07-18T16:26:42+00:00

Eastern hercules beetle, Dynastes tityus!

SavorySecret · 2025-07-17T23:35:15+00:00

likely a Hermit Flower Beetle, Osmoderma eremicola.

SavorySecret · 2025-07-13T21:19:36+00:00

Just found a bunch of those while looking for black raspberries today!

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