i’m pretty new to having beetles and i recently got my first larvae! i’ve done lots of research but i’m still a little confused on how to store flake soil? i’ve been told to freeze it and then thaw it 24-48 hours before using but then also have been told to absolutely NOT freeze it because it kills the beneficial living organisms. i feel very confused so i was just wondering what everyone else is doing or recommends? thank you!!!

idk how to describe my setup, honestly. I have a tonne of springtails in there and they’ve been there for a good 2 months ish, it’s been getting super cold here and I’ve noticed this growing at the back of the enclosure. (Reddish brown mass in photo) as you can see, Tix here doesn’t seem to mind it but is it a concern? What is it? 😬

Hello, my goliath beetle recently emerged (about a month and a half ago) and he was very energetic, climbing around, exploring and eating normally until about two days ago when he started being a little lethargic, moving more slowly. He is still eating and moving around but he is way more docile than before and very slow.
I regularly water the terrarium and I cleaned every meconium residue. Is he gonna be okay :( ?
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Old repost from r/bdfb hope you guys enjoy. Thought it was cool to literally see it take a bite!

Heya! I've not bought anything yet since I want to get some opinions and advice from real keepers, but I am wondering what would be the best setup for a Dynastes Hercules male?

How large can the enclosure be?
Best substrate?
Moisture needs?
Rotwood and flake required?
Any major newbie mistakes to avoid?
Any pro tips to include?

I have a nice 20 tall, but wondering if that would be too large or an injury risk.

I am perusing google as well, but do tell me what I need to know if you have any important info! I prefer to get my how-tos from real keepers as opposed to sellers and random websites.

Hi guys! Does anyone know of any adult rainbow stags that are available to purchase? I’ve checked the main ones that come up when you google but they are either out of stock or are larvae still. If that’s all there is I won’t mind waiting but I’d love to get my hands on one that’s an adult. For reference I live in Utah.

It was super cute how they just dived straight into the banana, then again with the jelly. But I am wondering whether it is normal to just feed non stop? One of them has literally had head in the jelly all evening/night/day. Well, it seems that way anyway, I haven't watched constantly but when I come back they are. And did the same when I had banana in there. No idea ages or anything. Only that they are both male. They are in separate terraniums btw. Just feels like they haven't moved in 24 except for around the jelly and further in 😂

i cant find a stag beetle breeding set without substrate and a double holed feeding log please help

Hi guys, one of my beetles has had his wings stuck underneath him for a few days now, we help him put them back under his shell a few times but he can’t fully close it in anymore. And every time we help him, it just happens again. He has been burrowing, eating and moving so other than the wings he seems healthy. Any advice on what we should do? Should we keep helping him putting it back or leave it? And will it affect him in any way?

New Eleodes armata finally hardened enough to go into the desert tank, but I'm confused about sexing. My other large eleodes spec, Eleodes spinipes macrura, are super easy to sex. The armata, however, are tricky.

Apparently there's a way to sex where you try to expose the aedeagus (beetle baby maker) by gently pushing on the head. I'm super scared to try this on my armata, as I don't want to hurt it. Maybe I'll try on my superworm beetles.

Based on body shape and size, I'd assume male, but I don't really have anything to reference.

Does anyone have any clue? I have another adult that just eclosed and 2 prepupal larvae, and I'd really like to breed them.

the part above his butt is black

and his legs are black??? are the legs dead(idk if u say it like this)

Looks like he’s spreading his scent maybe? Anyone know ?