I have been bone collecting for quite a few years and have cleaned them by hand. Recently, I purchased a starter dermestid beetle kit from Carolina Biological. They seem to be quite a health colony, they eat very well and the adults seem to have been mating and producing. I have had them 21 days and just moved them to a larger container since the colony seems to have increased. There are all different sizes of larva, but no adults. I found several dead adult bodies when I changed them to a new home. Does anyone know if this is normal or not?
Lesley
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Captive Dermestid beetles emulate species that occur in the wild, even though this species has been somewhat domesticated. In the winter months many of the wild species in northern climes spend time in late instars or as pupae and have a mad rush in the spring to become adults and lay the beginning of the next generation. While adults can live to 100 days or older, many do not live that long and simply lay a flurry of eggs and consider that they have done their duty. Adults like slightly "juicier" tissue vs. thoroughly dried tissue, but you still have to dry the tissue to jerky consistency. Humidity is very important for survival of the eggs and young larvae which can dehydrate and die, but over humidity promote parasites like mites and bacterial growth which can devastate a colony.
If I plotted the % adults in my colonies that I have maintained for 25 years, the peak % of adults is probably March to May but in September I can sometimes have difficulty in finding any adults in the colony.
I would suggest you read up on the literature on Dermestid Beetles by visiting the archives on this site by typing in Dermestid of Skull Cleaning on the opening page. One message http://www.taxidermy.net/forums/IndustryArticles/01/a/01D68FE7F6.html
gives some references.
I haver had my beetles for about 3 months. I had the same issue. I live in 100 degree weather. About 2 weeks ago, I had this uprising of adults. I mean everywhere, eating and matin; In June. I could probably start 2-3 more colonies safely with the amount I have.
Hang in there!