Post by beetlehorn on Apr 12, 2011 4:31:23 GMT -8
This is a question for those of you that are experienced in rearing Lucanus beetles. Just to summarize my limited experience with these beetles, a few years ago I collected a few wild pair of Lucanus elaphus. The females oviposited a good number of eggs in the subsrate I provided. I kept the larvae in separate containers that held hardwood substrate. Nearly all made it to adulthood, but none were of any great size. I am aware that in Japan, breeders regularly get very large specimens. What is their secret? Are the grubs on a special diet? Is it possible to get larger specimens than I am encountering in the wild? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Tom
