In regards to the rainbow stag beetles in my care
A while ago I noticed one of them has placed itself on the surface and seemingly died. It wasn't responsive and thats typically the behaviour of a dying grub. To go up on the surface and just lay there. I assume its to be picked up by a predator.
Initially I realised this happened when temperatures suddenly dropped and that they now needed extra heat. So they got a heatmat to stay consistently cozy. But I left the dying grub there. I dont like getting rid if grubs that have not yet turned dark brown or black (certain death)
It was still pale yellow/white even if unresponsive. So off it stays in its container.
In the past two days I noticed the heatmat timer started making weird noises and found it probably broke. So during replacing the timer today I checked up on the beetles and lo and behold....
It has. Pupated.
Now if you don't know how beetles pupate, they usually construct a tough chamber using their spit from the soil around them. That chamber is rough and hard and perfectly safe and usually at the bottom of all the soil.
This guy.... Or... Gal.
This gal decided what use is a chamber to her?
She gave me a heart attack, she made me mourn. And now she is springing back from the dead like jesus with a middle finger to all usual signs of pupation and just. Pupated right there. On the surface. In broad daylight.
You know what good for her. Good for this girlboss- or guy with incredibly small horns. Godspeed to you.
I suppose we will check back in with her in a month. And see how shes doing with becoming an adult
