29 replies to this topic

[MyrmecologyMaven]

I took some photos of some beetles from my communal desert beetle tank today. I have a lot of different types of beetles but only showed some of the ones in my tank today. Some are too hard to photograph or too good at hiding for me to find them in the tank. I don't currently breed any of them because of space constraints. I don't have a need for a bunch of beetles everywhere in my room. I need that space for ants! 

 

Asbolus verrucosus

 

 

 

Asbolus verrucosus with Nyctoporis sp.

 

 

 

Nyctoporis sp.

 

 

Phloeodes diabolicus

 

[Ernteameise]

I love beetles!

I have kept several different species of African rose beetles over the years.

Your desert beetles-

how long do the adults live for?

What I found a bit sad with rose beetles is, that they spend months/ years as larva and then live only a couple of months as adults. Yes, that big fat larva filling out my hand is nice to look at and impressive, but not really the shiny colorful jewel I had been going for.

And what do these beetles eat?

And yes, I agree, I also settled on ants now and have no beetles anymore.

[MyrmecologyMaven]

I love beetles!

I have kept several different species of African rose beetles over the years.

Your desert beetles-

how long do the adults live for?

What I found a bit sad with rose beetles is, that they spend months/ years as larva and then live only a couple of months as adults. Yes, that big fat larva filling out my hand is nice to look at and impressive, but not really the shiny colorful jewel I had been going for.

And what do these beetles eat?

And yes, I agree, I also settled on ants now and have no beetles anymore.

The Asbolus verrucosus have been recorded to live for up to 15 years in captivity! I started out with 3 but one died after a few months. The other 2 are still alive and have been in my care for 2 years!

Desert beetles tend to have pretty long lifespans that can be as short as 6 months to as long as 15 years. The average is 2-4yrs in my experience. 

Most beetles in captivity are wild caught (most are very common in their native range). So some can be old and weak when you get them.

Breeding desert beetles can be hard because many species need very specific temperatures that can only be achieved using a reptile incubator.

Most desert beetles besides some specific specialists are scavengers and eat nearly anything. I've fed them beetle jelly, dog food, carrots, apples, bananas, and fish food.

Very fun to keep. But because of the space requirements I'm restricting myself to my small 10 gallon tank so I can focus on ants.

Ants are much more fun to observe and are much more rewarding than beetles.

Desert beetles tend to be more active at night when I'm sleeping and are more of a display pet.

[AntsGodzilla]

I love blue death feigning beetles! I have recently gotten into the beetle hobby and I would love to hear more about them.

[MyrmecologyMaven]

I love blue death feigning beetles! I have recently gotten into the beetle hobby and I would love to hear more about them.

There are many resources about desert beetles.

If you want to learn about breeding aquarimax pets on YouTube has had success.

Aquarimax pets also made a video on a very promising new book on desert beetles.

If you want to expand your desert beetle collection check out bugsincyberspace.

The invertebrate dude website is really good. He has some care guides on desert beetles and sells many different species with locality data.

If you want to find out anything specific try searching on arachnoboards. 

Let me know if you want to know anything else or need any help!

[MyrmecologyMaven]

I managed to get a few pics of another desert beetle that was hiding in the tank!

 

Argoporis sp.

 

 

 

[evanmancini2011]

Wow these are such cool looking creatures. What do you feed your pet beetles? 

Thank You!

[MyrmecologyMaven]

Wow these are such cool looking creatures. What do you feed your pet beetles? 

Thank You!

Most desert beetles besides some specific specialists are scavengers and eat nearly anything. I've fed them beetle jelly, dog food, carrots, apples, bananas, and fish food.

Very fun to keep.

[mbullock42086]

I totally miss those phleodes, next time i visit california i'll have to check my spot out..  

  We still get some sweet beetles here.  Carabidae diversity here is through the rough, all sorts of tigers and bombardiers.

[MyrmecologyMaven]

I totally miss those phleodes, next time i visit california i'll have to check my spot out..  

  We still get some sweet beetles here.  Carabidae diversity here is through the rough, all sorts of tigers and bombardiers.

I actually rarely ever see beetles where I live. Here in LA it's basically nothing but urban sprawl. I only see cool bugs and wildlife when I go out on trips to other parts of CA. Next time you go to CA be sure to share photos of what you observe!

[mbullock42086]

 

I totally miss those phleodes, next time i visit california i'll have to check my spot out..  

  We still get some sweet beetles here.  Carabidae diversity here is through the rough, all sorts of tigers and bombardiers.

I actually rarely ever see beetles where I live. Here in LA it's basically nothing but urban sprawl. I only see cool bugs and wildlife when I go out on trips to other parts of CA. Next time you go to CA be sure to share photos of what you observe!

 

  My spot is actually urban. not gonna reveal the name, but generally if you can find true wild california sycamores, youll have a decent shot at phloeodes *IF* they still have their original outer "cork" intact. 

  If present, look on said cork carefully and you might see alot of them.  My spot had the BIG ones, like 2" females, they were so cool.

[MyrmecologyMaven]

 

 

I totally miss those phleodes, next time i visit california i'll have to check my spot out..  

  We still get some sweet beetles here.  Carabidae diversity here is through the rough, all sorts of tigers and bombardiers.

I actually rarely ever see beetles where I live. Here in LA it's basically nothing but urban sprawl. I only see cool bugs and wildlife when I go out on trips to other parts of CA. Next time you go to CA be sure to share photos of what you observe!

 

  My spot is actually urban. not gonna reveal the name, but generally if you can find true wild california sycamores, youll have a decent shot at phloeodes *IF* they still have their original outer "cork" intact. 

  If present, look on said cork carefully and you might see alot of them.  My spot had the BIG ones, like 2" females, they were so cool.

 

That actually makes sense! I go camping in a spot with California sycamores and I find lots of beetles! I never understood why until now! Good to know!

[AntsGodzilla]

Hi again! I was wondering if calcium sand for reptiles/tarantulas would be a suitable substrate for Asbolus verrucosus? Thanks.

[MyrmecologyMaven]

Hi again! I was wondering if calcium sand for reptiles/tarantulas would be a suitable substrate for Asbolus verrucosus? Thanks.

Hey! Calcium sand could work but personally I wouldn't use it. It's most likely safe but calcium sand is harmful to reptiles and I wouldn't want to support such a dangerous product. What's your setup gonna be? And what beetles do you plan to get? 

[AntsGodzilla]

I am thinking of blue death feigning beetles in a desert terrarium with objects for them to climb on. Where do you get your sand? Would zoo med creature sand work?

Edited by AntsGodzilla, February 8 2025 - 4:00 PM.

[MyrmecologyMaven]

I am thinking of blue death feigning beetles in a desert terrarium with objects for them to climb on. Where do you get your sand? Would zoo med creature sand work?

Yeah that sand should work! In my opinion the most cost effective and pretty setup is just a cheap 10 gallon aquarium with sand and things to climb on. I recommend you look at bugsincyberspace for obtaining your beetles. I recommend a large variety of beetles. Desert beetles do very well in mixed species setups. Keep 1-2 beetles per gallon of aquarium space is the general rule of thumb. I keep around 12 beetles in my 10 gallon. You will regret only getting blue death feigning beetles once you see the awesome interactions between different species. This is my list of beetles in my tank, I have 1-6 of each species. I plan to add a few more cool species soon.

Phloeodes plicatus (Asphalt Ironclad Beetle)

Phloeodes diabolicus (Hellburnt Diabolical Ironclad Beetle)

Nyctoporis

Cerenopus concolor (Slender Teneb)

Argoporis (Red Legged Teneb)

Eleodes armata (Armored Darkling Beetle)

Asbolus verrucosus (Blue Death Feigning Beetle)

Eleodes hispilabris

[AntsGodzilla]

How do I become a member to bugsincyberspace? I am trying to view blue death feigning beetle wholesale, but I can't because I'm not a member.

[MyrmecologyMaven]

How do I become a member to bugsincyberspace? I am trying to view blue death feigning beetle wholesale, but I can't because I'm not a member.

That’s odd. Try to make an account using your email address. I haven’t had a problem like that before.

[AntsGodzilla]

So sorry for all these questions, but would I be able to keep 20 beetles in a 10 gallon terrarium? 

[MyrmecologyMaven]

So sorry for all these questions, but would I be able to keep 20 beetles in a 10 gallon terrarium?

Questions are always welcome! Yeah 20 beetles in a 10 gallon would be good. Just make sure to give them hiding spots and lots of things to climb.