References For larger numbers of beetles, use a larger enclosure, I currently have 7 Blue Death-Feigning Beetles in a 20-gallon reptile enclosure with a screen lid, something like this one. Blue Death-Feigning Beetles will mate and lay eggs often in captive conditions, as long as you keep males and females together. The successful breeding comes during a milestone year as the Cincinnati Zoo celebrates the 40th anniversary of the World of Insects. Read about and even contribute to the Blue Beetle Genome Project! They like to be safely hidden away at night. For my small my bugarium, I use heat and light with this fixture: I use a 23-watt daylight bulb like this: For my 20-gallon long enclosure, I use a fixture and bulb like these: Note that the bulbs are only used to provide heat and visible light. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. What should I do with my beetle if it dies? They are omnivorous beetles, with a preference for protein-rich food. wikiHow's. The powdery blue hue coloring the beetles is due to a wax secreted throughout their bodies that keeps them from losing moisture. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 If you would like, you can wear gloves or use tongs to move the beetles. Will blue death feigning beetles get used to their owners? It is a desert species native to the American southwest and a member of the darkling beetle family. Blue death feigning beetles have been reported to live for up to 17 years in captivity. Once you figure out their favorites, rotate between them. The difficult part about captive breeding BDFBs is that the larvae don’t tend to pupate. Remember that the more beetles you have, the more hiding spots you will have to provide. In addition to a dry, sand substrate, Blue-Death Feigning Beetles appreciate plenty of rocks and pieces of wood to climb on and to hide among. $15.00. $20.00. Try lifting up rocks and pieces of wood. BREEDING THE BLUE DEATH FEIGNING BEETLE CRYPTOGLOSSA VERRUCOSA Suzanne Rowe Aquarist The Deep 2. Chopped organic carrots are a staple I use. Asbolus verrucosus, also known as the desert ironclad beetle or blue death feigning beetle, is a species of darkling beetle native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States, mainly the Sonoran desert. $13 each. They are not able to climb glass or plastic tank walls. X If you live in the South-Western United States, then finding blue death feigning beetles could be an option for you. They can also be found on sand dunes, or at the base of many desert plants. Keep reading to learn how to choose the best foods for your beetles! These popular and amazing insects are known to live many years as adults (no guarantees though they don't us how old they are). If you prefer to have a lid, be sure it’s ventilated so air can flow in and out of the cage. It can accumulate on the beetles' feet and become hazardous to their health. $ 22.99. You may want to invest in a heater if the temperature drops below 70 degrees. But, a simple explanation clarifies the confusion over its coloring. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I also offer zucchini, cucumber, sweet potato, apples, melon, and orange. or Buy It Now. A Blue Death-Feigning Beetle enclosure can be fairly simple and inexpensive, or it can be much more elaborate. Do these beetles need any lighting or heating? The molecular basis of death feigning, an antipredator behavior that has received much attention recently, was analyzed. container. $20.00. Where Do You Find Them? This beetle has been known to feign death when threatened. However, don’t put a water dish in the bowl, or the beetles could drown. Some keepers will also mix in coconut fiber or peat moss into the sand. 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