Rearing of Dynastes granti
Dynastes granti is the longest Dynastid in the U.S. and males can measure
as much as 85mm (3 1/2 inches). Adults are a blue-gray color and can have
from zero to hundreds of brown spots on the elytra. The thoracic horn is
very long on D. granti but is much shorter, in comparison, on D. tityus
males.
Food:
Adults, especially males, voraciously attack banana and other soft,
sugary foods. Larvae are easily kept healthy if fed on rotten wood, dead
leaves, and compost.
Life cycle:
D. granti females lay as many as 50-60 eggs which usually take between
3 and 4 months to hatch. If fed well, in 4 weeks the larvae will molt and
in another 8 weeks molt again. Depending on where the adults are collected
will mainly determine whether the larvae will make pupal cells in another
6 months to 17 months. Temperature and feeding also affect when pupal cells
are made but despite excellent feeding and temperature D. granti from certain
areas will not become adults till two years after eggs are laid.
Difficulties:
Often females may lay few or no eggs and a very rich compactible substrate
may help. Also, usually more than half of the eggs originally laid, die
during the long incubation period.
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