Summarize

Peanut beetle are a good source of live bait, the larvae contain 55% of crude protein, and the adults are reserved for breeding purposes only due to their hard outer shells.

Easy to keep, breeding method is 3 main points:

  • Use of open plastic containers
  • Bran and wheat flakes as substrate
  • Keep it dry and well ventilated
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Peanut beetle's real name

Peanut beetle is just an abbreviation, and its scientific name is Ulomoides dermestoides

Because it is prefert rice, powder and peanut , it is known as the "Peanut Beetle", or mini worm, and the nickname Peanut Beetle will be used throughout this article.

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Information for Peanut Beetle | Growth Cycle

Peanut beetle belongs to the Coleoptera family. It has wings but cannot fly. Native to grasslands and deserts of Asia, it is considered a pest in stored grains, feeding on stored plant-based foods. It has spread globally and is recognized as a pest in certain countries, where its presence is considered harmful.


Peanut Beetle Lifecycle to Larva Maturity: Average 68 Days

The growth process has four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and beetle. Compared to Tenebrio molitor, the peanut beetle has a relatively fast growth rate.

Egg

Peanut beetle eggs hatch in 3-4 days. They are tiny and almost invisible to the human eye.

Larva

The larval stage lasts about 60 days, going through seven molts. During the transition to pupation, each molt enlarges the larva, and the freshly molted larva appears milky white, turning yellow after a day.

The full-grown larva is approximately 1.2 cm, primarily consuming grain, wheat bran, and other grains.

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In the center of the picture, the long yellow stripes are the larvae of the Peanut beetle.
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At the bottom center of the picture is the skin shed by the larva.
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In the center of the picture, the larva is turned upside down and has 3 pairs of legs on its left side for mobility.

Pupa

Peanut beetle pupae emerge after 3-5 days by breaking out of their shells.

During this stage, the tip of the abdomen is mobile, but they lack the ability to move. The color of the pupa deepens gradually until it turns reddish-brown.

Healthy pupae appear yellow to reddish-brown, wriggle when touched, and may show signs of blackening or lack of movement if damaged or diseased. This can help assess whether they are developing normally.

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In the center of the picture is a peanut beetle, with the head on the right and the abdomen pointed on the left, and the wing pattern visible in the center.

Adult Beetle

The peanut beetle has an average lifespan of 135 days. Each female adult can lay about 261 eggs.On average, each adult female can lay 261 eggs.The

During the adult stage, they continually mate. After mating, females lay several eggs at the bottom of the habitat. Like larvae, adult beetles primarily feed on the base substrate (grain).

Although they have wings, peanut beetles are flightless and cannot crawl on smooth surfaces such as plastic or glass.

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At the left center of the picture, a newly-feathered peanut beetle adult, the geometric shell has not yet hardened and is white in color.
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To the right of the center of the picture is an adult with a hardened carapace and darker color.
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Adult peanut beetleThe

Nutritional Composition of Peanut Beetles

Component TypeAdult Peanut Beetle Peanut Beetle Larva Notes
crude protein48.31 % 54.95 %Relatively high protein content
crude fat17.64 %18.24 %Comparatively low in fat
ash3.0 %2.8 %Indicates mineral content
Total Sugar31.05 % 24.08 %
Total amino acid content39.03 g/100 g47.4 g/100 gRich in amino acids, good for health
Minerals and trace elementsZinc Height 101.00mg/kgZinc 163.00mg/kgCd, Hg, Pb free, zinc rich
Essential Amino Acid Index114.71Compared to normal protein sources, yellow junkies have a higher quality of amino acids.

Ulomoides Dermestoides
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Suitable Animals for Feeding Peanut Beetles

Peanut beetle larvae are small, have a thin outer shell, lack defensive capabilities, and are high in nutritional content, making them an ideal live food source for small pets, particularly ants, jumping spiders, mantises, birds, lizards, small rodents, and fish.

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Peanut Beetle Feeding Guidelines

When breeding peanut beetles, the most critical factor is moisture, moisture, and more moisture!

Peanut Beetle Keeping Guide

  • Use a plastic container for housing.
  • Use wheat bran and wheat flakes as the base substrate.
  • Maintain a 2 cm layer of substrate.
  • Keep the environment dry and well ventilated.
  • Clean waste every month.
  • Let them thrive without interference.
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The left side is a small feeding container and the right side is the substrate.

Breeding Environment

  • Optimal temperature: 18-32°C for growth, 24-28°C for ideal breeding.
  • Humidity: 50-90% for growth, with 60-70% as the best range.
  • Avoid excess dryness to prevent eggs and larvae from desiccating.
  • Avoid excessive moisture to prevent mold and mite infestations.
  • Use dry air only; avoid adding water directly, as humidity alone is sufficient.

Breeding Container

  • Peanut beetle larvae and adults cannot crawl on smooth surfaces, so use transparent plastic containers.
  • Ensure ventilation and dryness for better growth; use a transparent, ventilated plastic container.
  • Container depth should be at least 10 cm.
  • Optional: no lid (mesh cover if necessary).
  • Available at local stores for about USD $ 7.

Food & Substrate

  • Both adults and larvae feed on the substrate and consume it.
  • The substrate should include grains such as wheat bran and flakes.
  • Maintain at least a 2 cm substrate layer.
  • Chinese people use Chinese herbs as a base material.
  • Adding additional nutritious food can accelerate larval growth and increase adult egg production.
  • Better results can be achieved by using "Live Bait Elite Feed" made by Ant Catcher.

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Moisture control

  • Again, humidity is the key
  • In dry areas, use carrots, potatoes, and apples as supplemental foods, but do not give too much.
  • Hydrating food, once a week, in a quantity that can be consumed within 1 day
  • Use " Fatty Jelly Feed" developed by Ant Catcher for better control of water intake.
  • Fatty Jelly Fed , which allows the larvae to grow in size ( Recommended )

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Tips to boost your larvae population

  • Adults will lay eggs in the substrate.
  • However, the use of oviducts is preferred to produce eggs in a small space.
  • The substrate can be lined with filter foam for adult egg laying.
  • The use of a filter sponge also prevents eggs from being eaten by larvae or adults.
  • I'm sure this tips are helpful

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Excrement Management

  • Waste accumulates at the bottom.
  • Stool will produce ammonia and other harmful substances.
  • Waste buildup produces ammonia and can attract mites.
  • It is recommended that you use a sieve every month to sift through your stool.
  • Sieved feces also contain a large number of eggs and larvae and should not be discarded.
  • Keeping the faeces separately, hundreds of larvae will emerge in about a month.
  • Repeat the process 2 ~ 3 times to dispose of the feces.

Cannibalism Prevention

  • Peanut beetles are generally non-cannibalistic.
  • Unless there is a lack of living space, e.g. too intensive breeding, or too thin a substrate
  • Nymphs and eggs are the easiest to eat.
  • If you have enough time, you can pick out the pupae individually.
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The nymph in the center of the picture is immobile and most likely to be injured or eaten by mistake.

Breeding Density Control

  • Densities should not be too low or too high.
  • Low density can reduce adult mating success and egg production.
  • High densities make eggs and pupae susceptible to predation.
  • Recommended to keep them in separate containers at a certain level.
  • Targeting adult worms, which occupy more than 80% of the substrate area can be packed.


FAQ

  1. What are the ideal temperature and humidity ranges for peanut beetles?
    Optimal temperature is 26°C, with humidity between 65-70%. Avoid temperatures above 30°C and humidity over 75% to prevent mite infestations.
  2. What are the container and substrate requirements for keeping peanut beetles?
    Use plastic containers with at least 10 cm depth and a 2 cm substrate layer to ensure proper ventilation and humidity.
  3. How to control the density of peanut beetle feed?
    Maintain a density where 60-80% of the substrate surface is covered. Avoid overcrowding, which can lead to health issues or affect reproduction.
  4. What are the health applications of peanut beetles?
    In Kinmen, Taiwan, peanut beetles are valued for their health benefits and are used in traditional herbal medicine. Their feces are also considered beneficial in Chinese medicine.
  5. How to prevent mite issues when keeping peanut beetles?
    By controlling temperature and humidity within optimal ranges and avoiding overcrowding, you can effectively minimize mite problems.

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