Frequently Asked Questions

Did you ship my package yet?

Once packages are sent out, you should receive an email with a tracking number for your package. If you have not received an email, it means that your beetles have not been shipped yet(mostly due to unfavorable weather conditions). 

When will you have *species name* available?

You can contact us or subscribe to the website to get notified of their availability.

Are you able to determine the gender of the larva?

Usually, sexing is only possible when the larvae are in their L3 stage; however, some species are difficult to sex even in the L3 stage.

I don't know anything about beetle larvae but I want to keep one. What should I know?

Click here to learn more about rearing beetle larvae!

What are the tiny white things crawling in the substrate?

It can be mites or springtails or both! They feed on organic matter present in the substrate and are pretty common when it comes to rearing and breeding beetles.  They don't cause any harm to us, beetles, or larvae but if you see their numbers in the hundreds, we highly recommend replacing the substrate. 

There seems to be mold/fungus growing on my substrate. What should I do?

Usually a little mold is not going to harm your larvae, especially if it's white mold. Molds and fungus do however absorb the nutrients present in the substrate, so it is ideal to replace the substrate.

Why is my larva on top of the substrate?

There are several reasons as to why your larva is on top of the substrate:

  • Oxygen deficiency
  • Food shortage
  • High temperatures
  • Unfavorable substrate
  • Looking for a place to pupate

How often do I replace the substrate for my larva?

It depends on what size container you have them in. We usually replace the substrate every 2-3 months or when there's a noticeable amount of feces in the substrate.

When will my larva become a pupa?

This will depend on the species you have. Check our caresheets page to see the approximate larval duration for your species.

Are fungus gnats harmful?

Fungus gnats are a pretty common pest in the hobby. The larvae of fungus gnats degrade the substrate by feeding on it. To prevent them from entering your substrates, we recommend using containers with tight lids and putting breathable tapes over your ventilation holes. 

What temperature should I keep my beetles and larvae at?

Different species can tolerate different temperatures but the ideal temperature is usually 70-75°F for most species.

What does it mean when beetles are dormant?

Dormant beetles are beetles that have recently emerged from pupa. They rarely move and do not eat at all. 

How do I take care of dormant beetles?

Keep them in moist substrate or paper towel and check on them every other day. If they seem to be actively moving around, put a piece of banana in their container to see if they eat it. Once they start eating, it's an indication that they are no longer dormant. Dormant beetles also tend to excrete grey or brown liquid a week or two before becoming active. 

What size container do adult beetles need?

Any container 4x their size works. You can put them in bigger enclosures too of course.

 

 

 

Updated 4/8/24