Beetles for beginners
With so many options available, it can be tough for newcomers to decide which beetle species is worth getting.
This guide will list out all the good beginner species so you can confidentially choose a species of your liking.
Blue death feigning beetle (Asbolus verrucosus)
Reasons:
-Very long lifespan(10+ years)
-Very low maintenance
-Eats pretty much any organic matter
-Resistant to low and hot temperatures (40-90°F)
-Cannot hurt you physically in any way
Rainbow stag beetle (Phalacrognathus muelleri)
Reasons:
-Beautiful to look at (even people who generally dislike insects will usually like them)
-Weak pinching power
-Long lifespan (1-2 years)
-Larvae can grow on poor-quality flake soil
-Short larval period(8-10 months)
-A lot of information regarding their care is available online
Jewel stag beetle (Lamprima adolphinae)
Reasons:
-Small (doesn't take up much space & eats less very little flake soil)
-Beautiful
-Weak pinching power
-Individuals of various colors can be produced even with the same parents
-Larvae can grow on poor-quality flake soil
-Larval period is less than 5 months
Metallic stag beetle(Cyclommatus metallifer finae)
Reasons:
-Short larval period(4-8 months depending on temperature)
-Larvae can grow on poor-quality flake soil
-Weak pinching power
Small dorcus titanus (Dorcus titanus castanicolor/ Dorcus titanus sika)
Reasons:
-Short larval period(6-10 months)
-Larvae can grow on poor-quality flake soil
-Resistant to low and hot temperatures (40-85°F)
-Long lifespan (1-3 years)
Japanese rhino beetle (Trypoxylus dichotoma)
Reasons:
-Resistant to low and hot temperatures (40-85°F)
-No risk of getting pinched
-Larvae can grow on poor-quality flake soil
-Larval period is between 6-10 months depending on the temperature
-Very short dormancy period(2-3 weeks)
Eastern hercules beetle (Dynastes tityus)
Reasons:
-Resistant to low and hot temperatures (40-85°F)
-No risk of getting pinched
-Larvae can grow on poor-quality flake soil or good quality potting soil
-Fairly long lifespan(4-6 months excluding dormancy period)
Pachycera rhino beetle (Xylotrupes pachycera)
Reasons:
-No risk of getting pinched
-Larvae can grow on poor-quality flake soil
-Larval period of 8-10 months
Derby's flower beetle(Dicronorhina derbyana)
Reasons:
-Larval period of 7-10 months
-Larvae can grow on poor-quality flake soil or good quality potting soil
-Beautiful to look at
-Smells somewhat pleasant compared to other species
-Very active(has a tendency to fly a lot)
Figeater beetle(Cotinis mutabilis)
Reasons:
-Larvae can grow on poor-quality flake soil or good quality potting soil
-Larval period of 10 months
-Very active(has a tendency to fly a lot)