Trypoxylus dichotomus care
Adults:
- Size: 35-89mm
- Adult life span once active: 2-4 months
- Temperature: 68-77°F
- Humidity: 60-70%
- Food: Beetle jelly or fruits(no ctirus)
Breeding:
- Required temperature for breeding: 72-77°F
- Minimum container size for egg laying: 8 in x 4 in x 8 in. Bigger containers are always the better option for breeding!
- # of eggs laid on average: 20-80 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 5cm 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. Lastly, don't forget to regularly change fruits or beetle jelly for the beetle to feed!
Set-up example:
Larvae:
- Food: Flake soil or white-rot hardwood. A mixture of rotten hardwood leaves and soil also works(just make sure it's free of pesticides).
- Temperature: 70-77°F. Hibernates if the temperature drops below 55°F.
- Humidity: 60%
- Larval duration: 8-12 months
- Container size recommendations:
- L1: 4oz deli cup
- L2: 16oz deli cup
- L3/pupa: 32oz deli cup
- Can keep them communally in a bigger container but raising them individually is recommended if you want bigger males.
Personal notes:
- Unlike most beetle species, Trypoxylus dichotomus make their pupal chamber upwards so the depth of the substrate should be at least 10cm. 32oz container is perfect for this species.
- Tends to wander around on top of the substrate if they are looking for a place to make their pupal chamber.
- Highly recommended for beginners who are interested in rhino beetles.