Peanut Beetle Larvae 40 per pack

Our Peanut Beetle Larvae (Alphitobius diaperinus) are small, active livefood feeders—perfect for jumping spiders, spiderlings, mantises, small geckos, frogs and other small insect-eating animals.

They are smaller and less fatty than standard mealworms, making them a great option for adding variety to your pet’s diet.

Each pack contains approximately 30–40 live larvae.

Care: 

What to do after your larvae arrive

Your Peanut Beetle larvae will arrive in a small ventilated container. This is a temporary home, but the larvae can remain in it for approximately 10–14 days or until several adult beetles begin to emerge.

Once approximately 10–15 adult beetles are visible, transfer the entire contents into a larger container. A small food-storage or lunch box approximately twice the size of the original container is sufficient.

Preparing the new container

Make plenty of very small ventilation holes in the lid. The holes should be no larger than pinholes because small larvae and adult beetles may escape through larger openings.

You can make the holes using a heated needle or a very thin drill bit. Make sure that no sharp plastic edges remain.

1. Cover the bottom with approximately 1 cm of fresh rolled oats. The substrate should not fill more than one-quarter to one-fifth of the container’s height.

2. Transfer the entire contents of the original container, including the larvae, oats and fine grey material.

3. Add pieces of cardboard egg carton. Larvae and adult beetles use them as shelter, and the protected spaces provide suitable areas for egg laying.

4. Add several monkey nuts (peanuts in their shells). Lightly crack some of the shells so the beetles and larvae can enter them easily.

Do not allow the egg carton, monkey nuts or other materials to touch the lid, as adult beetles may use them as a bridge to reach the ventilation holes.

Feeding and maintenance

Keep the colony dry, well ventilated and away from direct sunlight or strong heat sources.

Top up the rolled oats and monkey nuts as they are consumed. The amount required will depend on the size of the colony. A small handful approximately once a week is usually sufficient.

Do not discard the fine grey powder that develops at the bottom of the container. It may contain eggs and newly hatched larvae that are too small to see.

PURCHASED A STARTER COLONY?

Ongoing colony care

Your starter colony already contains a mixture of Peanut Beetle life stages. The number of adult beetles, larvae and pupae will naturally change as the colony develops.

Keep the colony at a stable room temperature, in a dry and well-ventilated place. Keep it away from direct sunlight, radiators and other strong heat sources.

Check the colony regularly and:

• Add fresh rolled oats when the existing food is being consumed.
• Add or replace monkey nuts as required.
• Lightly crack some peanut shells so beetles and larvae can enter them.
• Make sure the ventilation holes remain clear.
• Leave a clear gap between the egg carton, monkey nuts and the lid.
• Leave enough adult beetles in the colony so they can continue breeding.

The fine grey material that develops at the bottom of the container should not be removed. It may contain eggs and extremely small newly hatched larvae.

It is normal to see fewer larvae at certain times. Some may be developing into pupae before emerging as adult beetles. Newly emerged beetles can initially appear pale or light brown and will become darker as their exoskeleton hardens.

Important feeding reminder

Only remove the larvae that you wish to feed to your pet. Use clean tweezers and try to avoid touching adult beetles with the same tweezers.

Adult beetles may release a natural defensive secretion when disturbed. If your tweezers touch a beetle, simply wash and dry them before collecting another larva.

Do not place a spider or another pet directly inside the colony. Always remove an appropriately sized larva and offer it separately.

The adult beetles are an important part of the colony and should remain inside so breeding can continue.

Please supervise feeding and remove any uneaten larvae from your pet’s enclosure.