BEETLE LARVAE chelorrhina polyphemus confluens

[alexdittrich]

Hi Folks,

This is officially my first post and I figured why not post something on inverts. This is my first experience with Chelorrhina polyphemus confluens. currently the larvae are pretty far along L3's and after doing a substrate change in the rearing containers they appear to be a male and a female - fingers crossed for the next few weeks, as they should be pupating very shortly.

This is however my first go with this species!!! does anyone else have any experiences to share?

Unfortunately no pictures - the SLR is knackered

[Sarracenia]

I've got 6 L3s going at the moment (bought as L1 from RICH-CJ on here, though you might have bought them off him on eBay?) and luckily there are 3 males and 3 females. They're really fast growing little things! Mine have been getting pretty fat from their waxworm/Bakers Complete diet, and it does seem to be helping their growth.

This is my first go with Chelorrhina too, and to be honest they seem to be extremely easy - they don't seem as delicate or fussy as small Mecynorrhina and other big Cetoniids.

[alexdittrich]

You know I hadn't thought about feeding waxworms to larvae!! genius - I guess you wouldn't have issues with biting that you could get with providing other larvae (like mealworms) and you also wouldn't have to worry about uneaten spoilage as they would remain alive and well in the substrate for some time before they are found by the target larvae..

[alexdittrich]

Actually I am constantly on the lookout for new larvae - no of any going... some goliathus would be nice

[Sarracenia]

Yeah, waxies are a good source of protein and fat, both necessary for pupation and quick growth. Some people use Pachnoda larvae instead, but I really disagree with it and use livefood instead...

There are some Goliathus on eBay at the moment actually, £12 L2s from a great seller in Sweden. He used to be a member on here last year, but was sort of scared off by another seller. I got some blue Mecynorrhina from him and they're well fed and healthy.

[sphynxskin]

I've got 14 Mecynorrhina torquata larvae at L1 stage. Don't know what i'm going to do with them all yet, grow them on until they reach L3 or sell them sooner.
Just found the female adult beetle eating one of her grubs that i hadn't found, really suprised at seeing that as i thought the grubs were the ones that needed the protein?

[alexdittrich]

that does seem like unusual behaviour - but as we all know with all animals that feed on plant matter protein is important but not necessarily abundant. Some japanse keepers sprinkle fish food on the fruit provided to improve this