Christmas beetles as feeders for lepisiota

Posts and questions relating to ant diet & nutrition. Let us know what you’re feeding your ants.

Moderator: ooper01

Post Reply
AntsSA
Posts: 218
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2017 12:08 am
Location: South africa
Contact:

Christmas beetles as feeders for lepisiota

Post: # 16180Post AntsSA
Sat Jan 21, 2017 12:21 am

I was wandering if I could catch Christmas beetles (tons of them) and create my own feeders by breeding them
Keeping.
lepisiota capensis colony
Cardiocondyla sp.
Founding
Messor. Sp. X 4
Myrmicine Sp. X 2
atopomyrmex Sp. X 2
Ants SA
:lol: :lol:
YouTube :
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC404jNiUH33dFnxqSZajoPg

User avatar
Batspiderfish
Posts: 3315
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
Location: Maine

Re: Christmas beetles as feeders for lepisiota

Post: # 16185Post Batspiderfish
Sat Jan 21, 2017 8:30 am

Their larvae are soil-dwelling root-feeders, so they would be difficult or impossible to culture in large numbers, in captivity.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

AntsSA
Posts: 218
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2017 12:08 am
Location: South africa
Contact:

Re: Christmas beetles as feeders for lepisiota

Post: # 16231Post AntsSA
Sun Jan 22, 2017 9:13 am

True
but the beetle as a feeder?
Keeping.
lepisiota capensis colony
Cardiocondyla sp.
Founding
Messor. Sp. X 4
Myrmicine Sp. X 2
atopomyrmex Sp. X 2
Ants SA
:lol: :lol:
YouTube :
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC404jNiUH33dFnxqSZajoPg

User avatar
Batspiderfish
Posts: 3315
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
Location: Maine

Re: Christmas beetles as feeders for lepisiota

Post: # 16245Post Batspiderfish
Sun Jan 22, 2017 12:25 pm

Feeding wild insects to your ants is unwise, since we don't know what the food has been exposed to. Many insects are resistant to chemicals and pesticides, so built up toxins can make their bodies poisonous to ants.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests