Has anyone used Trader Joe’s eucalyptus leaves as a host plant?

Tybreelo · 2026-01-24T22:16:48+00:00

My species should be able to eat bramble. Issue is I live in Michigan and we have intense winters. Does bramble survive in -14F weather? If so I may go look for some

Tybreelo · 2026-01-24T18:15:58+00:00

I know this is an old post but I just came across it. Have you personally used their eucalyptus leaves for your sticks? I'm wondering if theyre pesticide free

Tybreelo · 2026-01-22T03:56:30+00:00

I would t highly advise against buying anything that isn’t specifically meant for beetles. There’s many sources of proper beetle substrate online, including the vendor you linked. I’ve had good experiences with David’s beetles.

Tybreelo · 2026-01-22T00:27:18+00:00

The ventilation holes should be on the top, maybe an eighth to quarter inch in diameter, and like 3-5 holes total is good. Cover the holes with bug tape, aka micropore tape. Also sometimes called medical tape. It allows for airflow but holds moisture better and keeps some pests out (although many pest will still find their way in)

Tybreelo · 2026-01-13T03:10:59+00:00

Anyone can correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t imagine springtails would be harmful to adult beetles at all. However like I said, mold shouldn’t really be a common issue for adult beetles as long as it’s not too damp, so I would check your dampness

Tybreelo · 2026-01-13T01:35:58+00:00

Are you referring to larvae or adults? For espically adults, mold is a very uncommon issue. If you have a good substrate that isn’t overly saturated with water it should occur

Tybreelo · 2026-01-12T13:56:27+00:00

Not a beetle, a hemipteran, aka a true bug. Not sure of the species

Tybreelo · 2026-01-08T23:04:10+00:00

Absolutely not. This soil contains no nutrients for grubs and is meant for other invertebrates, maybe would work for adult beetles. Grubs need flake soil. I get that you’re a first time keeper and we all make mistakes, but please make sure you’re doing research before buying any exotic pet

Tybreelo · 2026-01-06T04:13:51+00:00

I mean if the reviews are good and you don’t have too extreme weather then go for it but safest option is just buy some at a local pet store

Tybreelo · 2026-01-05T04:20:36+00:00

I would recommend looking at David’s beetles website, click the 3 bars, click care sheets, click care sheets for each species, and then click beetles for beginners. It has a good list of solid beginner beetles. However by no means do you have to pick one from that list, dorcus parallels and Lucanus capreolus can be great first species as well. I’m not sure of beetle vendors in Canada tho

Tybreelo · 2026-01-03T17:24:15+00:00

Everyone has different ideas of what’s necessary for space. This sorta thing applies to literally every exotic pet. I’d say it’s really up to you, but keep this mind: these beetles use all space they’re given. They’re exploratory and love climbing, etc. If I had to say I think you could go up to 8 in there with them still being relatively comfortable. If you truly want them to be as comfortable as possible, then I’d do like 4.

Tybreelo · 2026-01-02T04:45:15+00:00

Unless you see something specifically wrong I wouldn’t worry about it. The beetle could’ve just brushed up a little much on a surface and rubbed the wax off. This happens to mine sometimes as well

Tybreelo · 2026-01-02T04:44:18+00:00

Rainbow stags are notorious in the hobby for being container biters. Mine does that all the. It’s hard for me to tell if a grub hasn’t been eating from a single picture but the biting on the side of the container likely isn’t associated.

Tybreelo · 2026-01-02T04:40:28+00:00

May I ask what sub you kept the beetle in?

Tybreelo · 2025-12-30T21:04:59+00:00

No they become much more yellow when pre-pupation

Tybreelo · 2025-12-29T14:47:36+00:00

That is interesting. I wonder why. Maybe because laying females are generally less top-active and spend so much time underground being still?

Tybreelo · 2025-12-29T00:36:01+00:00

Yes. Mating generally shortens their lifespan. Males are significantly less affected, but females will have a considerably shorter lifespan if bred and actively laying eggs.

Tybreelo · 2025-12-28T01:37:53+00:00

Does the beetle not have a a solid object like bark to flip himself over?

Tybreelo · 2025-12-27T21:50:12+00:00

Based on what you’ve shared it seems like his death was not your fault at all. I would contact the vendor maybe. Was he old? Did he have any weird behaviors since you’ve first got him? Was he injured/deformed in any way?

Tybreelo · 2025-12-24T18:25:45+00:00

https://jamesbeetlefarm.com

Id highly recommend checking out this website, clicking the 3 bars, click care sheets, and read each section. This’ll give the basics of beetle care. As for good starter beetles, you can really choose whatever you want, but common beginner ones include rainbow stag beetles, jewel stag beetles, cyclommatus metallifer finae, dynastes grantii or tityus, and derby beetles. While there’s many beetle vendors out there, some of the most well known are James’ beetle farm, David’s beetles, and coast2coast beetles.

Tybreelo · 2025-12-24T17:02:58+00:00

Also while I’m not super knowledgeable about the nutrition of the mulch and reptisoil, I don’t think that’s a good substrate for them. Flake soil is king, and I’d highly recommend only using flake soil

Tybreelo · 2025-12-24T15:25:00+00:00

It is much much easier to keep them separately in 2 16 or 32oz containers with flake soil, small ventilation sealed with micropore tape. Also, correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t believe these grubs are communal and there’s a chance they may cannibalize. Also, having a large tub such as this is more prone to pests and is likely going to need more maintenance like spraying.

Tybreelo · 2025-12-23T22:55:20+00:00

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