My meal worm colony, beetles stupid?

[jfreels]

So I have started my first meal worm colony and got my first few beetles today, five to be exact. Having actually done some research on this subject, I read that you can place paper towels on top of the pupae so the beetles have something to hold on to when they come out. Most come out on their back and they can't turn themselves over.

So I did that and I put them into the breeder bin and the things just go back to being on their back and just lay there and struggle to get back over. Is there something wrong with my beetles, or do they out grow this? It's almost like they are testing me.

I have also read on SOME sources that I should use a paper towel or burlap for the beetles to breed on. Do any of you do that? I can't find a definitive source on that subject.

And some pictures, so people don't feel ripped-off opening my thread

Still feel ripped-off? OK, here's a gecko shot....

 

[Tony C]

I had the same question, it is perfectly normal, and they will figure out how to move around normally. I like to use a piece of egg crate in my beetle tubs.

 

[RampantReptiles]

hehe that last pic... me thinks a gecko got loose

Yeah my beetles end up on their backs all the time. Beetles are just retarded in general. I used to worry about it and turn them over whenever I saw it now I just dont really care. I dont know if they ever get themselves righted or if they just die.

I would be patient. It takes a long time to get some decent sized mealworms out of a new colony. Id say almost 2 months.

I dont use burlap or anything like that. I just have the substrate and the carrot(I think carrots are best but use whatever fruit/veggie works best for you).

When Im not being lazy I will separate the pupae from the colony and put them in a small bowl. Once they turn into beetles they join their beetle friends for the orgy fest until they die.

 

[jfreels]

Thanks, guys!

Nolan (the leucistic), loves getting out to walk around the computer desk. Especially when it's cluttered. When it's clean, he has no where to try and hide (I guess that's a good way to put it). He doesn't like the crickets, so he gets some outside play time while Lily runs around after crickets. Nolan will usually bark if either the crickets or Lily go into his favorite hide.

 

[thegeckoguy23]

that looks a bit to dusty for them

 

[jfreels]

that looks a bit to dusty for them

Not sure what to do about that. It's a wheat germ, ground oats and corn meal mix. The mealies seem to like it...the small meal worms I originally purchased were raised in it, and now they are beetles.

What do you guys think?

 

[BrilliantEraser]

I personally think it looks absolutely fine. I keep my mealies/beetles on a chicken feed/alfalfa meal mix, which is about the same consistency as yours. Mine have been absolutely thriving on it.

 

[thegeckoguy23]

Not sure what to do about that. It's a wheat germ, ground oats and corn meal mix. The mealies seem to like it...the small meal worms I originally purchased were raised in it, and now they are beetles.

What do you guys think?

i use quick oats and the baby worms sometimes can not eat it so what i do is add just a bit of wheat germ or chick mash depending on what i have but my colny is not going yet this is just what i did with my super worms witch i got to beetles only witch was really good for me cuz i usually just get frustrated when i breed my feeders

 

[Vision Geckos]

It's an incontrovertible fact: darkling beetles are all retarded. No matter what you do, no matter how hard you try, they always end up on their backs. Don't fret about it, it happens to everybody. The beetles will right themselves up eventually.

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

Yea I would have to agree they are just about all retarded

 

[Mel&Keith]

As a general request to everyone....

Please refrain from calling things "retarded". Most people feel that it is a derogatory term and I think that we can find better descriptive words anyway.

Thanks,
Melody

 

[jfreels]

"developmentally challenged", sorry :main_rolleyes:

 

[thegeckoguy23]

if every one is using it then i dont think that ppl are thinking its bad lol how about that

 

[OneFootedAce]

if every one is using it then i dont think that ppl are thinking its bad lol how about that

It's a highly offensive term towards people with mental illnesses. I've got a friend who has a brother with an illness, he can't talk properly, and is In a wheelchair. Just because many people say it doesn't make it right. It's offensive to people with mental illnesses and their families.

Sorry for the post, just had to say it.

 

[thegeckoguy23]

have u red all the post if u do u well notice its just a joke even if u just look up on post ahead of this u can tell from that

 

[OneFootedAce]

have u red all the post if u do u well notice its just a joke even if u just look up on post ahead of this u can tell from that

Some things are better left unsaid.

 

[ketz]

My darkling beetles do worse than just fall on their backs, they eat each other alive. I'm not sure why, because they have tons of room, tons of both dry and vegetable food and have been breeding perfectly fine, but sometimes they gang up on one and eat it.

have u red all the post if u do u well notice its just a joke even if u just look up on post ahead of this u can tell from that

I can see why making jokes about someone less fortunate than you would be fun, do you also like to beat up homeless people?

 

[jfreels]

Maybe they need more moisture. Mine currently only get the pro gutload and water crystals. Only one has died, she was a runt...little tiny thing and they didn't try and eat her.

And no, I don't like to beat up the homeless I....wait...ok...I'll stop there.

 

[Dakota_Ghost]

I started my own colony in January this year. I have also found that the beatles tend to flip over. Sometimes, you get a beetle hatch out that hasn't developed properly, and some of it's legs are missing, or wing cases, or it's body has only half formed. They really can't walk properly at all, and flip over every step. I think it's more humane to send these ones to beetle heaven. It's clear that even perfectly healthy beetles flip over. Often, mine will sit there on their backs and wait for another one to crawl over it. The upturned beetle will latch on to the unsuspecting beetle and get back up, only to incidently flip the other one over. It's a never ending cycle lol.

 

[adam&nikki]

i think the bettles have 2 things on ther mind (just like men lol) to eat and to breed as for them flipping over just leave them they will right them selves again or you will spend many many hours flipping bettles