If you have hungry reptiles or fish to feed, breeding your own bamboo caterpillars is a great way to save money and ensure your pet gets the right nutrition. Bamboo caterpillars are actually dark beetles in the larval stage, their breeding includes allowing the beetles to mature and breed. You will need several large containers, a bamboo caterpillar substrate, and bamboo caterpillars to start your own colony. After a few weeks of waiting, you will get a number of healthy bamboo caterpillars.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing the Equipment
Step 1. Purchase a suitable container
You will need a small container with smooth walls made of glass or plastic, so that the bamboo caterpillars and beetles cannot escape. A 37.9 liter fish tank can also be used, as is the case with plastic containers. Storage containers should be supplemented with small vents or air holes (you can use wire, or make a hole in the cover) that allows air to enter without making the bamboo caterpillars escape. The use of a full cover is not recommended.
- Setting up at least two (three, if you want a large colony) is very important as you will need to separate the beetles from the larvae for several weeks. If you fail to separate them, they will eat each other.
- Do not use wooden containers as bamboo caterpillars can eat them.
Step 2. Prepare your bamboo caterpillar substrate
Bamboo caterpillars eat grains and cereals, both of which are what you need to make a substrate. You can also purchase caterpillar bamboo substrate from a bait shop, or make your own from bran flakes, corn chips and other cereals. The substrate should be ground into a fine powder to make it easier to pick out the bamboo caterpillars and beetles when you need to move them.
Depending on your pet's needs, you can also add bones, cricket food, or other ingredients to add nutrients to the caterpillars
Step 3. Buy bamboo caterpillars
The number of caterpillars you buy to start with depends on the number of animals you will be feeding. If you want to use bamboo caterpillars as food, aim for 5,000 or more to start with. It takes several months for the bamboo caterpillars to reproduce, so some of these populations will die initially.
If you don't mind waiting a few months for a new bamboo caterpillar, you can start with at least 150 bamboo caterpillars
Step 4. Set up a stable growth environment
Bamboo caterpillars reproduce best when they are kept in stable temperatures between 70 and 75°F (21 to 24°C). Choose a place in your home where you can keep the temperature steady. This place must be clean and free of chemicals that can contaminate the bamboo caterpillars.
- A hot garage or basement is a good choice for keeping bamboo caterpillars.
- You can purchase a heater to use near the container to keep the bamboo caterpillar temperature stable.
- If you let the caterpillars get too cold, they will not breed.
Part 2 of 2: Bamboo Caterpillar Breeding
Step 1. Create the first container
Cover this container with 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of substrate. Put your bamboo caterpillar in the container. Slice an apple, carrot, or potato and place the slices on top of the substrate to provide moisture for the caterpillars. Place the lid over the container. The bamboo caterpillar will begin to eat the substrate and breed.
Step 2. Wait for the caterpillars to breed
Bamboo caterpillars, which are the larvae of the beetle, need 10 weeks or more to go through their life cycle and reproduce to produce a new bamboo caterpillar. They will change from larvae to pupae, then from pupae to adult beetles. Adult beetles will mate and lay eggs in the substrate, which will hatch 1 to 4 weeks later. While you wait for this process to take place, check the container daily and take care of the bamboo caterpillars by:
- Replace the vegetable pieces if they look moldy.
- Keep the temperature stable at 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C).
- The dead bamboo caterpillars and beetles are cleaned and disposed of.
Step 3. Remove the beetles after the eggs hatch
Once the new larvae have hatched from their eggs, you must transfer all the cocoons and beetles to a second container. If you keep everything in one container, the larvae will be eaten by the beetles. When you transfer them to a second container, the beetles will lay eggs and continue the reproduction process. To move the beetles and cocoons, do the following:
- Prepare a second container and cover it with 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of substrate.
- Pick the beetles and cocoons by hand and place them in a new container. Use gloves if you wish. Beetles will not bite and rarely fly.
- Place a few pieces of carrots or potatoes in the second container, then cover.
Step 4. Feed your pet with bamboo caterpillars
Once the new larvae are large enough (before turning into pupae) you can give them to your pet. Remember that any bamboo caterpillar left in the container will grow up and become a cocoon, then a beetle. Continue transferring the cocoons and beetles to a second container once they have become adults.
You can store bamboo caterpillars in the refrigerator to make them last longer if you want to set them aside for your pet's food. Once the new larvae are large enough (before they turn into pupae) you can give them to your pet to eat. Remember that any bamboo caterpillar left in the container will mature and become a cocoon, then a beetle. Continue transferring the cocoons and beetles to a second container as they become adults
Step 5. Filter the substrate and continue the process
Once the life cycle is complete in the first container, the substrate will be depleted. Take the remaining bamboo caterpillars and place them in a clean container while you disinfect the first container. Once completely cleaned and dried, add a few inches of new substrate, then place the bamboo caterpillars in the container to start the process over again.
Tips
- Leave a gap in the burlap sack to make it easier for the bamboo caterpillars to move.
- The more surface area the better.
- To make them grow faster, don't store them in a cupboard, keep them in a place where they get light.
- You should clean the bucket every day to remove dirt and food residue.
- You should store it in a warm and dark place. Do not store in a cold place.
