Cetoniinae, Lucanidae or Dynastidae: Which one to pick?
The three main subfamilies of beetles in breeding are Cetoniidae, Lucanidae and Dynastidae. All families have their up- and downsides. In this post I try to summarize the pro's and contra's of these families.
Notice: When it comes to difficulty and size all families can cover the whole range. From very easy to very hard, from very small to very big. After the pro's and cons I sum up some of the easy and diffcult, some of the big and small.
Notice: These are the pro's and con's according to my own experience, and conversations with other breeders.
Enjoy the read.
Cetoniinae:
This subfamily consists of often colourful, small beetles (notice that small is very subjective: in breeding they are considered small, in the beetle world they would score above average for size). There are estimated 4000 species of Cetoniinae.
Common names for this family are: Flowerbeetles, rosechafers, fruitbeetles.
The pro's and contra's apply to the "average" Cetoniinae, ofcourse there's exceptions to almost anything.
Pro's:
- The variation in colour and pattern within this subfamily is enormous, and cannot be matched by any other subfamily that is commonly bred.
- Many of the species within this family can be raised on substrate of leafs and rotten wood, which can be gathered at no cost in oak- or beech forests. (However, I personally recommend not to do this, and breed solely on flakesoil and rotten wood).
- The average time per generation is 1 year, making breeding cycles fast and selection processes more easy going.
- Relating to the latter, there is tons of work that can be done in selecting nice and rare forms. Even in Mecynorhina torquata ugandensis, one of the undoubtly most bred species, there is still a big bunch of possible projects to work towards.
- Due to their size it is more convenient to keep big populations, without taking too much substrate or space.
- Adult beetles are day-active: meaning lots of activity in the terrariums
- Because big populations can be more easily supported by a single breeder, the factor of inbreeding is minimised. This indirectly also has contributed to relatively good genetics, even though some populations have been kept captive for decades already, without adding new wild beetles.
- Very popular in Europe, little trouble with getting rid of your breeding excesses.
Contra's:
- The general price for most of the bred species are rather low (except for rarities ofcourse). This makes breeding of Cetoniinae less interesting from a financial perspective. Probably the reason why only a handful of commercial breeders specialise in Cetoniinae.
- Some people think the breeding of Cetoniinae has no challenges. However, this depends on the species as is the case with all of the subfamilies. There are plenty of genera which so far have proven to be unbreedable. Plenty of misteries to crack, and many species that even have never been bred.
- With most species there isn't a race for size going on, making the breeding less prestigious. However, breeding for size can be done for all species.
- Several species are known to be cannibalistic as larvae, sometimes larvae need to be separated.
- There is little well-studied methods for breeding these species to their maximum size. So there's no easy to read and copy method how to do it in the ideal way. This is less so for the other families, which are bred in enormous scales in Asia, which have made way to rather standardised (almost) ideal methods for breeding them.
Easy genera: Most Chlorocala sp, most Cyprolais sp, Eudicella sp.,...
Hard genera: Some Mecynorhina sp, Goliathus sp, Netocia sp., Theodosia sp. ,...
Big genera: Mecynorhina sp, Jumnos ruckeri, Goliathus sp.
Small genera: Chlorocala, Cetonia sp., Protaetia sp....
Dynastidae:
This subfamily consists of mostly brown, black sometimes grey beetles, with few species showing some irriscidence. In beetle terms this subfamily is very large, with genus Dynastes having the biggest size of the scarab-beetles, and genus Megasoma the heaviest. In many species the males display big horns with which they fight over females.
Common names: Rhinoceros beetles
This subfamily contains about 1500 species.
The pro's and contra's apply to the "average" Dynastidae in breeding, ofcourse there's exceptions to almost anything.
Pro's
- Their size! Big beetles always impress, and with this subfamily it is fairly easy to get a big beetle. Even a "failed" Megasoma or dynastes is still a massive beast.
- The race in size is on: not only is it impressive to have a big beetle. The size of the beetle also is a display of excellence in care and genetics of a particular beetle. Most who breed Dynastids do this for a race in size: Lets try to breed the biggest beetle. Fun for those who like competition.
- Breeding Dynastidae is financially heavy rewarding. Single L1 larvae sell for good money (starting from about 5 euro a larvae for easy species, but often much more expensive). This while females have no problem depositing over a hundered eggs. Some simple maths and you see why commercial breeders are so fond of these beetles.
- Most species can be raised communally without a problems, although big breeding boxes are needed.
Contra's
- While there are some exceptions to this rule, most species only do well on flakesoil and rotten wood. Making substrate for these species labour-intensive, but neceassary.
- There is little variation in individual beetles, making selecting for traits a rather futile business.
- Many of the commonly kept species take multiple years to develop (some exceptions are Xylotrupes sp. and Allomyrina sp.). Patience is needed.
- These beetles make weak pupal cells, with high mortality and risk on malformations if kept in their natural cells. Therefore when pupation nears, it is needed to produce artificial cells out of floral foam. This takes skill. Wrongly made pupal cells can cause the sad dead of your beetle due to the beetle not enclosing properly. Sad thing to happen after often multiple years of feeding a larva.
- Due to their size, few breeders keep big groups of these species. This creates a bigger risk of genetical funnels, in which genetics can homegenise quickly. Careful planning of mating should be done, but is so far lacking in Europe.
- Due to the agressiveness of the adult males, you cannot keep several males together in the same breeding box. Also males can sometimes kill females if triggered. Attention is needed.
- Nocturnal animals, not much to see during the day.
Easy genera: All Xylotrupes sp, Allomyrina sp., Oryctes nasicornis,...
Hard(er) genera: Dynastes sp., Megasoma sp., Augusoma sp.,...
Big genera: Dynastes sp, Chalcosoma sp., Megasoma sp.,....
Small genera: Diloboderus sp. is one of the few truly tiny species. Most are big boys and girls :)
Lucanidae
Mandibles!!! Small to very big sized beetles, known for males with big mandibles, also used to fight over females. Like any beetle family most diverse in the tropics.
There are estimated about 1200 species of Lucanidae described. Plenty more subspecies with doubtable status.
Common name: Stag beetles.
The pro's and contra's apply to the "average" Lucanidae in breeding, ofcourse there's exceptions to almost anything.
Pro's:
- Big agressive-looking beetles with bad-ass mandibles. Look like real warriors.
- Also in size, many of the commonly bred species get big without too much worrying. Getting real giants is another deal.
- Can be used to discover a whole new skill: mushroom breeding and spawning. Innoculating wood and making kinshi are methods to create ideal feeding substrate for different species. You learn a challenging and interesting skill, also you can time by time harvest some edible mushrooms. Nice extra.
- Just like the cetoniidae many of the species have quite quick cycles of 0.5-1-1.5 years.
- Same as with the Dynastidae the race for size is on for almost all Lucanidae.
- Same as with Lucanidae, prices for single larvae or adult pairs are often lifted, making the breeding profitable.
Contra's
- Same as with Dynastidae males can be very agressive and kill females or other males. Carefulness is needed. Also this means it is not possible the house multiple males together.
- There is little variation in individual beetles, making selecting for traits a rather futile business.
- You either will need flake-soil for some easy species, lots of rotten wood or kinshi bottle. Rotten wood is for many a valued resource, which limits the amount of Lucanidae they can keep properly. Another option is making kinshi bottles or blocks youself. This needs some skills but can be done at relatively little cost. Buying kinshi on the other hand is expensive business, making the keeping of big, healthy populations rather difficult. The main culprit for this subfamily is thus finding plenty of substrate, or making all of it, or spending a fortune.
- Floral pupal cells generally not necessary but often done. If you apply it the same contra applies as with the Dynastidae.
- Most species are nocturnal, so not much action to be seen during the day.
Easy genera: Lamprima sp., Dorcus titanus, most of the captive bred prosopocoilus genus,...
Hard genera: Allotopus sp., Hexarthrius sp.,...
Big genera: Prosopocoilus giraffa, Dorcus sp, Lucanus sp, many of the Odontolabis genus if bred right, and many more.
Small genera: Lamprima sp., Rhyssonotus sp, Platycerus sp, Dorcus parallelipipedus,...
May this text be a guide to pick your first or next beetle family. And on with the breeding :)
Notice: When it comes to difficulty and size all families can cover the whole range. From very easy to very hard, from very small to very big. After the pro's and cons I sum up some of the easy and diffcult, some of the big and small.
Notice: These are the pro's and con's according to my own experience, and conversations with other breeders.
Enjoy the read.
Cetoniinae:
This subfamily consists of often colourful, small beetles (notice that small is very subjective: in breeding they are considered small, in the beetle world they would score above average for size). There are estimated 4000 species of Cetoniinae.
Common names for this family are: Flowerbeetles, rosechafers, fruitbeetles.
The pro's and contra's apply to the "average" Cetoniinae, ofcourse there's exceptions to almost anything.
Pro's:
- The variation in colour and pattern within this subfamily is enormous, and cannot be matched by any other subfamily that is commonly bred.
- Many of the species within this family can be raised on substrate of leafs and rotten wood, which can be gathered at no cost in oak- or beech forests. (However, I personally recommend not to do this, and breed solely on flakesoil and rotten wood).
- The average time per generation is 1 year, making breeding cycles fast and selection processes more easy going.
- Relating to the latter, there is tons of work that can be done in selecting nice and rare forms. Even in Mecynorhina torquata ugandensis, one of the undoubtly most bred species, there is still a big bunch of possible projects to work towards.
- Due to their size it is more convenient to keep big populations, without taking too much substrate or space.
- Adult beetles are day-active: meaning lots of activity in the terrariums
- Because big populations can be more easily supported by a single breeder, the factor of inbreeding is minimised. This indirectly also has contributed to relatively good genetics, even though some populations have been kept captive for decades already, without adding new wild beetles.
- Very popular in Europe, little trouble with getting rid of your breeding excesses.
Contra's:
- The general price for most of the bred species are rather low (except for rarities ofcourse). This makes breeding of Cetoniinae less interesting from a financial perspective. Probably the reason why only a handful of commercial breeders specialise in Cetoniinae.
- Some people think the breeding of Cetoniinae has no challenges. However, this depends on the species as is the case with all of the subfamilies. There are plenty of genera which so far have proven to be unbreedable. Plenty of misteries to crack, and many species that even have never been bred.
- With most species there isn't a race for size going on, making the breeding less prestigious. However, breeding for size can be done for all species.
- Several species are known to be cannibalistic as larvae, sometimes larvae need to be separated.
- There is little well-studied methods for breeding these species to their maximum size. So there's no easy to read and copy method how to do it in the ideal way. This is less so for the other families, which are bred in enormous scales in Asia, which have made way to rather standardised (almost) ideal methods for breeding them.
Easy genera: Most Chlorocala sp, most Cyprolais sp, Eudicella sp.,...
Hard genera: Some Mecynorhina sp, Goliathus sp, Netocia sp., Theodosia sp. ,...
Big genera: Mecynorhina sp, Jumnos ruckeri, Goliathus sp.
Small genera: Chlorocala, Cetonia sp., Protaetia sp....
Dynastidae:
This subfamily consists of mostly brown, black sometimes grey beetles, with few species showing some irriscidence. In beetle terms this subfamily is very large, with genus Dynastes having the biggest size of the scarab-beetles, and genus Megasoma the heaviest. In many species the males display big horns with which they fight over females.
Common names: Rhinoceros beetles
This subfamily contains about 1500 species.
The pro's and contra's apply to the "average" Dynastidae in breeding, ofcourse there's exceptions to almost anything.
Pro's
- Their size! Big beetles always impress, and with this subfamily it is fairly easy to get a big beetle. Even a "failed" Megasoma or dynastes is still a massive beast.
- The race in size is on: not only is it impressive to have a big beetle. The size of the beetle also is a display of excellence in care and genetics of a particular beetle. Most who breed Dynastids do this for a race in size: Lets try to breed the biggest beetle. Fun for those who like competition.
- Breeding Dynastidae is financially heavy rewarding. Single L1 larvae sell for good money (starting from about 5 euro a larvae for easy species, but often much more expensive). This while females have no problem depositing over a hundered eggs. Some simple maths and you see why commercial breeders are so fond of these beetles.
- Most species can be raised communally without a problems, although big breeding boxes are needed.
Contra's
- While there are some exceptions to this rule, most species only do well on flakesoil and rotten wood. Making substrate for these species labour-intensive, but neceassary.
- There is little variation in individual beetles, making selecting for traits a rather futile business.
- Many of the commonly kept species take multiple years to develop (some exceptions are Xylotrupes sp. and Allomyrina sp.). Patience is needed.
- These beetles make weak pupal cells, with high mortality and risk on malformations if kept in their natural cells. Therefore when pupation nears, it is needed to produce artificial cells out of floral foam. This takes skill. Wrongly made pupal cells can cause the sad dead of your beetle due to the beetle not enclosing properly. Sad thing to happen after often multiple years of feeding a larva.
- Due to their size, few breeders keep big groups of these species. This creates a bigger risk of genetical funnels, in which genetics can homegenise quickly. Careful planning of mating should be done, but is so far lacking in Europe.
- Due to the agressiveness of the adult males, you cannot keep several males together in the same breeding box. Also males can sometimes kill females if triggered. Attention is needed.
- Nocturnal animals, not much to see during the day.
Easy genera: All Xylotrupes sp, Allomyrina sp., Oryctes nasicornis,...
Hard(er) genera: Dynastes sp., Megasoma sp., Augusoma sp.,...
Big genera: Dynastes sp, Chalcosoma sp., Megasoma sp.,....
Small genera: Diloboderus sp. is one of the few truly tiny species. Most are big boys and girls :)
Lucanidae
Mandibles!!! Small to very big sized beetles, known for males with big mandibles, also used to fight over females. Like any beetle family most diverse in the tropics.
There are estimated about 1200 species of Lucanidae described. Plenty more subspecies with doubtable status.
Common name: Stag beetles.
The pro's and contra's apply to the "average" Lucanidae in breeding, ofcourse there's exceptions to almost anything.
Pro's:
- Big agressive-looking beetles with bad-ass mandibles. Look like real warriors.
- Also in size, many of the commonly bred species get big without too much worrying. Getting real giants is another deal.
- Can be used to discover a whole new skill: mushroom breeding and spawning. Innoculating wood and making kinshi are methods to create ideal feeding substrate for different species. You learn a challenging and interesting skill, also you can time by time harvest some edible mushrooms. Nice extra.
- Just like the cetoniidae many of the species have quite quick cycles of 0.5-1-1.5 years.
- Same as with the Dynastidae the race for size is on for almost all Lucanidae.
- Same as with Lucanidae, prices for single larvae or adult pairs are often lifted, making the breeding profitable.
Contra's
- Same as with Dynastidae males can be very agressive and kill females or other males. Carefulness is needed. Also this means it is not possible the house multiple males together.
- There is little variation in individual beetles, making selecting for traits a rather futile business.
- You either will need flake-soil for some easy species, lots of rotten wood or kinshi bottle. Rotten wood is for many a valued resource, which limits the amount of Lucanidae they can keep properly. Another option is making kinshi bottles or blocks youself. This needs some skills but can be done at relatively little cost. Buying kinshi on the other hand is expensive business, making the keeping of big, healthy populations rather difficult. The main culprit for this subfamily is thus finding plenty of substrate, or making all of it, or spending a fortune.
- Floral pupal cells generally not necessary but often done. If you apply it the same contra applies as with the Dynastidae.
- Most species are nocturnal, so not much action to be seen during the day.
Easy genera: Lamprima sp., Dorcus titanus, most of the captive bred prosopocoilus genus,...
Hard genera: Allotopus sp., Hexarthrius sp.,...
Big genera: Prosopocoilus giraffa, Dorcus sp, Lucanus sp, many of the Odontolabis genus if bred right, and many more.
Small genera: Lamprima sp., Rhyssonotus sp, Platycerus sp, Dorcus parallelipipedus,...
May this text be a guide to pick your first or next beetle family. And on with the breeding :)
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