Rearing
Cotinis texana
Cotinis texana is the largest of the flower beetles (Cetonids)
from the U.S. These are the most active creatures imaginable. They seem
to be on a continual coffee buzz. The coloration of the C. texana is beautiful
velvet green and yellow with some metallic green on the legs and underside.
Food: Cotinis adults eat
sugary liquids but will also eat soft-skinned fruits (uncut) such as peaches.
The larvae of Cotinis texana are supposed to eat the roots of grasses and
trees but larvae fed this will soon starve. C. texana larvae do not eat
roots. C. texana young eat mold, rotten wood/leaves, and even fruit and
smashed seeds thrown on the substrate.
Life cycle: Cotinis texana can
take 6-12 months from egg to adult depending on food and temperature. The
larvae grow very fast and eat almost anything. Unlike most cetonids, however,
even when overcrowded they never resort to cannibalism. Soon after the
larvae turn a dark yellow color they will make a pupal cell by mixing dirt
and secretions.
Difficulties: The most difficult
phase in the life cycle of C. texana is between L3 larvae and adult. The
larvae will only make one pupal cell and seldom survive to adulthood without
one despite the best of care. If you disturb a larvae after making a pupal
cell it will chew its way right out. Also, if the larvae are kept in greater
numbers than 1 to a liter they will disturb each other. When pupal cells
are made be certain to leave them alone and do not keep them too moist
or the pupas will rot. Even moving the container can have dire results.
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