Adults:
- Size: 20-30mm
- Adult life span once active: 2-3 months
- Temperature: 68-80°F
- Humidity: 40-60%
- Food: Juniper leaves for Chrysina gloriosa. Oak leaves for Chrysina beyeri.
Breeding:
- Required temperature for breeding: 70-80°F
- Minimum container size for egg laying: 4 in x 4 in x 4 in. Bigger containers are always better breeding.
- # of eggs laid on average: 25-50 eggs
- Flake soil humidity adjustment: The amount of water is appropriate when you can form a ball by squeezing the flake soil with your hand. Water seeping out of your hands during the process indicates that there is too much water.
- Set-up: Pack the bottom inch of the container tightly and fill up the remaining space loosely with flake soil. Place objects such as sticks or barks at the top so that the beetle can flip itself over if needed. Provide them with fresh juniper or oak leaves depending on the species.
Set-up example:
Larvae:
- Food: Flake soil or white-rot hardwood.
- Temperature: 68-80°F.
- Humidity: 50-60%
- Larval duration: 10-12 months
- Container size recommendations:
- L1 - L3: 4.5 - 5 oz deli cup.
- Pupation: Since this species require clay for successful pupation, fill the 5oz container with clay once you start seeing yellowish L3 larvae wander around on top of the substrate. If they like the clay, they will start building their pupal chamber immediately. They will stay in their cells for a few months before pupating.
- Flake soil on top and clay layer at the bottom in a 4.5oz container:
Helpful notes:
- Does not require much flake soil to get them to adulthood.
- Very beautiful beetles. Pictures online don't do them justice.
- Getting some of the leaves may be difficult depending on the area you live in.