29 replies to this topic

[mbullock42086]

consider eleodes osculans and edrotes ventricosus

 as for sand, use quikrete play sand from home depot or lowe's.  it's super cheap, and its very clean- it costs about 5 bucks per 40 lb bag

[AntsGodzilla]

Do you think I would be able to make another level above the ground with way to climb up to increase surface area?

[MyrmecologyMaven]

Do you think I would be able to make another level above the ground with way to climb up to increase surface area?

Personally I wouldn't recommend it. I bet it cold work but it could cause beetles falling, getting stuck, or larvae getting stuck in a small area. Personally I would just give them a good depth of sand 3-4 inches, a small moist corner, and things to climb and hide in like cholla wood, cork bark layer against a rock, etc. This is my small setup.

https://youtu.be/wbD...FYdBSAs83QBVB7w

I would like to setup something bigger in the future but I need the space for ants (I have a couple new colonies arriving later this week).

[mbullock42086]

if you have armata they actually do like climbing and are semi-arboreal as adults.  Their long femoral spines are used to help them anchor themselves to creosote bush, so they can rest during the day and avoid the scorching sand, without the need of a rock.

[MyrmecologyMaven]

if you have armata they actually do like climbing and are semi-arboreal as adults.  Their long femoral spines are used to help them anchor themselves to creosote bush, so they can rest during the day and avoid the scorching sand, without the need of a rock.

Good to know! I'll implement some more climbing surfaces in my tank.

[AntsGodzilla]

 

Do you think I would be able to make another level above the ground with way to climb up to increase surface area?

Personally I wouldn't recommend it. I bet it cold work but it could cause beetles falling, getting stuck, or larvae getting stuck in a small area. Personally I would just give them a good depth of sand 3-4 inches, a small moist corner, and things to climb and hide in like cholla wood, cork bark layer against a rock, etc. This is my small setup.

https://youtu.be/wbD...FYdBSAs83QBVB7w

I would like to setup something bigger in the future but I need the space for ants (I have a couple new colonies arriving later this week.

 

Thanks! I also subbed lol.

[bmb1bee]

Bugs in Cyberspace is a pretty great place to get your bugs. I'm debating whether I should get back into beetles or not... I don't have any tanks on me currently, but it's really not difficult to keep them at all. I have spots to collect a variety of species, including the typical large Eleodes species, E. osculans, E. littoralis, Phloeodes diabolicus, and Cibdelis species, so maybe I could try making a nice naturalistic setup for them. Maybe I could even try breeding them, since E. osculans seemed to be pretty easy to get eggs out of.

[MyrmecologyMaven]

Bugs in Cyberspace is a pretty great place to get your bugs. I'm debating whether I should get back into beetles or not... I don't have any tanks on me currently, but it's really not difficult to keep them at all. I have spots to collect a variety of species, including the typical large Eleodes species, E. osculans, E. littoralis, Phloeodes diabolicus, and Cibdelis species, so maybe I could try making a nice naturalistic setup for them. Maybe I could even try breeding them, since E. osculans seemed to be pretty easy to get eggs out of.

Beetles are always more fun to watch than you would think! Super easy to keep as well. I’ve been adding a variety of beetles to my 10 gallon tank every once in a while for a few years now and love it! So fun to watch the interactions. Especially the eleodes armata. I need to try out breeding again. Takes lots of time and effort, I also need to buy a new incubator for Asbolus.

[mbullock42086]

a heating cable should suffice for keeping the larvae warm when it comes to asbolus. 


most eleodes can be easily bred in oats, just like you would mealworms or superworms, just give em some egg crates and carrots and they're happy.

  

[MyrmecologyMaven]

a heating cable should suffice for keeping the larvae warm when it comes to asbolus. 


most eleodes can be easily bred in oats, just like you would mealworms or superworms, just give em some egg crates and carrots and they're happy.

  

Good to know! I used to have a small reptile incubator that worked quite well. I have a few temperature adjustable heat matts in my garage. Eleodes are easy to breed for me as well. I have a pair of armata but haven't seen any breeding or egg laying. I think they are the same gender.