Hi all i got lined here from reptile forums as i usually keep mainly lizards, however i've recently become interested in fruit beetles.

Just have a few questions first, is it possiable to mix fruit beetle species as people have told me mixed things as i would like to keep a nice desplay tank of fruit beetles if its possiable

Was thiking about getting Pachoda marginata as they seem really easly to get hold of and Smargdethes africana oertzeni (the purple ones i hope) as these are the only 2 i seem to be able to find readable available. Can anyone recomandsome nice colourful beetles that are easy to rear and that i could get hold of??

And a reliable supplier would be awsome as well especially if it allowed me the chance to look at the various beetles first since im a complete newb to beetles.

thanks in advance for the advice
jay

Im not too sure myself but i know we have a lot of beetle keepers here which will be able to help!
im more posting here so they dont miss this one

Glad too see you made it over dude.

Shouldn't be a problem keeping small species like that together, though you may have problems deciding which larvae is which.

Matt

...or hybridization between similar species such as Eudicellas. Such trait is unwelcome usually when trading or selling the descendants.

Bibitte

hehe yer thanks for the link mate, spent hours last night back reading some of the stuff about beetles.

jay

yer, hybridization was what i was worried about as well.

Jay

ok next question what other matalic beetles are there that are easy to keep?? and where is the best place to purchase some from??

Every one tlaks about sing copost as a substrait but would cocohusk be alright, as it hold moisture better is cheaper and doesn't go mouldy?? I know its used alot in spider keeping and its what i use with the mantids but thought i would double check about its use with beetles.

jay

ok if i was to focus on the smaragdesthes speies where would i find larvea as i can't seem to find them any where.

jay

Hello, I haven't been on Bugnation for ages (been too busy ) so only just read your posting. I have many species of beetle, get back to me if you are still looking.

Chris

Just reading through some post and found this one.
I would advise against keeping different beetles species together if they are in the same genus.
But if they come from separate genus, the chance of hybridation is so close to inexistant it would not pose any problems.

Coconut substrate:

It may be acceptable if you don't care about continuing the cycle.

For imagos, the fiber may not have the correct consistency for egg laying as it may be too "fluffy." Most beetles need some consistency to the substrate. They make small "chambers" around the eggs. You may add biological potting soil or compost.

For larvaes, unless they're natural host is coconut, chances are they won't consume it.