BEETLES!!!

[brad.a.c]

I am just announcing that I now have three beetles and two more pupae about to change into beetles also. I have about 12 other pupae also.:main_evilgrin:

 

[moosassah]

congrats, it's a start

 

[bubblez825]

Congrats! How do you breed mealies.....................?

 

[tsavage]

you just put them in a container with a piece of dry cardboard or popsicle stick and feed them once an awhile

 

[brad.a.c]

I have them in a tub (about 150 to 200 of 'em) and I slice up a potato into 5ths for food and water and then change those out every 2 or 3 days. For bedding I have a rather thin layer or plain, uncooked oatmeal. Then when you see a mealie that has turned into a pupae, put it in a separate container with no bedding or food because they need none in this stage. After the pupae turn into a beetle put them in another tub designated to the beetles and have the same food and bedding for them as the mealies do. Then the beetles breed after awhile, and they lay the eggs. When you see the baby mealies put them in the mealie container when possible.
You should try it, it saves you lots of money in the long run. :main_yes: :main_evilgrin:

 

[Crazygecko]

Ok I got about 150-200 mealies sitting in my basement for about a week now and i was wondering what pupae look like and about how long does it take for a large mealie to turn into a pupae then turn into a beetle? I am pretty sure I dont have any pupae but i do have some thing running around inside with my mealies. was there from day 1 when i bought the mealies. no clue what it is though.

 

[brad.a.c]

Pupae look like little white cacoons. As the pupae get closer to turning into a beetle they get darker and they're eyes and legs become much more destinct. That's okay if you don't have any yet, sometimes it takes a little while. What are your temps down there in your basement? They tend to grow alot slower if it's to cold. The absolute best temps to keep them at is between 75 to 80 degrees.

 

[Crazygecko]

well its a hot summer so i would guess in the mid 70s. the worms when i got them were kind of small but they have grown alot since last week.
I am guessing what ever the heck is crawling around with the worms I should kill and discard cause I have no clue what it is. Its got alot of legs and is fast. lol

 

[brad.a.c]

They might be beetles, what do they look like?

 

[Crazygecko]

kind of looks like a pill bug. but fast legs and body is very flexible. does not look like a beetle. its very dull grey no shiny black hard shell.

 

[tsavage]

if you want to know what a pupae looks like go to.....

http://www.freewebs.com/mealworms/apps/webstore/

their under starter beetles but that is what pupae look like

 

[Crazygecko]

yeah what ever is crawling around with my meal worms is not a pupae or a beetle. i will have to eradicate what ever it is. lol i am sure its not to friendly.

 

[brad.a.c]

Lol, okay.