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Post by arrowhead on Aug 26, 2012 13:54:05 GMT -8
Hello everyone. I have a question about how many tityus grubs (2nd stage) I can keep housed together. I currently have three five gallon buckets with an average of five in each container. Do I need to further seperate them? This is my 1st experience at raising them but they seem to be huge and healthy so far. They have not begun to build pupal chambers and I'm worried there won't be enough room for them to build them. If anyone has any info or suggestions I will be much indebted. Thanks--arrowhead
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2012 20:09:15 GMT -8
If you have an average of 5 L2 grubs(2nd stage) in a 5-gallon bucket(and I am assuming each bucket is pretty full of substrate), you should be just fine. If you have L2 larvae now, pupal chambers are a long way off. Just be sure your substrate is not too 'frassy' and not either too wet or too dry.
One wise rearer of this beetle(ironically named beetlehorn) taught me that...if I grab some substrate and can clump it up by closing my fist around it, then it is fine. If it's too dry, it will merely crumble. If it's too wet, it will appear more like mud and ooze in the hand. He also advised me to always add water at one end so the larvae can go to where they want....be it dry or wet.
These guys are not like L. elaphus where separation is a must and they seem to (at least the ones I reared for 5 or so years) get along rather well in small groups.
Good luck
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Post by arrowhead on Aug 27, 2012 8:39:02 GMT -8
Thanks so much for the reply! I recall reading about keeping the substrate wet but not muddy and try to keep it that way. It sounds like I'm doing everything okay for now. I appreciate the info and will keep everyone informed. One last question: about how long will it be before they begin building their chambers? Thanks, arrowhead.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2012 16:39:23 GMT -8
If memory serves me correctly, it was around a year before the L2s turned to and L3s which pupated. When that time comes, they are thumb-sized and have a yellowiwh hue to them. I also put them in slightly shallower containers so I could more easily get at those chambers. Actually, the longer they stay as L3s and get bigger, the better off you are. Do keep us up-to-date.
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Post by arrowhead on Aug 27, 2012 20:24:47 GMT -8
Thanks again, Bill. I'll be sure to keep you updated and can send pics. I've been on the site under another name before Clark updated it and I've noticed that you are always very helpful to newcomers. It's much appreciated, believe me. Best wishes, Darrell--formerly plasticuromastyx
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