poisonarrow
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Looking for fellow entomologists in the SF Bay area
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Post by poisonarrow on Dec 7, 2018 9:50:14 GMT -8
Which makes sense, as oxygen seems to be the limiting factor thanks to the respiratory system insects possess. That said, with beetles that take a long time to develop, the trick usually lies in high quality substrate, and cool temperatures to prolong the larval development. Plus, it is essential to keep conditions constant. This makes for 150mm plus Hercules without much extra effort:
Thad said, it’s also a numbers game, and the Japanese are breeding many to achieve giants.
Cheers
Ben
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goat
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Post by goat on Dec 30, 2018 1:38:50 GMT -8
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rique
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Post by rique on Aug 31, 2019 10:55:30 GMT -8
Which makes sense, as oxygen seems to be the limiting factor thanks to the respiratory system insects possess. That said, with beetles that take a long time to develop, the trick usually lies in high quality substrate, and cool temperatures to prolong the larval development. Plus, it is essential to keep conditions constant. This makes for 150mm plus Hercules without much extra effort: Thad said, it’s also a numbers game, and the Japanese are breeding many to achieve giants. Cheers Ben Thank you for this gem of knowledge. I realized that temperatures were kept constant by Japanese breeders, but I wasn’t aware that high quality substrate was not enough. That major adults developed as a result of cooler temps prolonging development. |
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Post by bichos on Nov 2, 2019 14:50:41 GMT -8
I guess oxygen is more available at cooler temps. I think that's what it could come down to perhaps 🤔
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poisonarrow
Full Member
Looking for fellow entomologists in the SF Bay area
Posts: 109
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Post by poisonarrow on Nov 29, 2019 11:43:40 GMT -8
Could be. But I think they also take longer to develop while their intestinal flora thrives and this his they are able to get more nutrients out of their food. Also it should be mentioned that these are line bred and the breeders of the giants often rear hundreds, a few of which result in huge specimen. If I rear 50 stag beetles of one species on good substrates I do get mostly average sized beetles, but a few males take longer and turn into bigger ones. If I would only breed those, the offspring also is bigger. Mecynorhina torquata ugandensis has been bred for many generations and even under suboptimal conditions you get quite large beetles now. So, it’s line breeding for sure, as well as optimal conditions which creates these giants. That said a giant line can still breed tiny individuals if conditions are not good. Warm temps and dynastes turn tiny.
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