How Long does the breeding cycle take?

[Inlovewithherps]

I've been attempting to breed mealies for the past month and I finally have my first alien
After they hit the alien stage how long until they become beetles?
Then, how long does it take for bettles to lay eggs and hatch into micromealies?
Thanks for the info! :main_thumbsup:

 

[acpart]

To some extent it depends on the temperature --they mature faster at higher temperatures, although if it gets too hot they probably die. I think it takes up to a couple of weeks for the aliens to morph. The first time I put beetles together to lay eggs, I transferred them after 4 weeks (this was in Jan. so it was fairly cool in the house) and at that point could barely see micro-mealworms. On the other hand, I transferred beetles a few weeks ago after leaving them for 6 weeks when the weather was quite hot and some of the mealies were full grown. I felt that it was about 3 months or so in the winter to go from beetles to viable mealworms.

Aliza

 

[Inlovewithherps]

Thanks for the help, I guess it will be awhile still before I get "free" food. :bigcry: LOL