12 replies to this topic

[Temperateants]

Hi all,

so recently my ants are in hibernation, and I've maintained my mealworms, and they've exploded in population. Unfortunately, 20-30% of the pupae come out deformed half pupae half beetle mutants. What causes this? Somebody mentioned humidity, but it doesn't make sense that most of the other pupae are fine. I've noticed that if something nibbles on the pupae it'll get sick and die, or maybe that causes the deformities? I usually just give to mutants to my pavements ants.

[TennesseeAnts]

The only time I've seen that happen in my cultures is when the humidity is too low. Maybe put a piece of damp paper towel in their setup?

[Temperateants]

The only time I've seen that happen in my cultures is when the humidity is too low. Maybe put a piece of damp paper towel in their setup?

Sounds good, but I'm worried on the flipside that the humidity might attract mites or cause the pupae to get sick with mold and die.

[Temperateants]

Also they've been imbreeding for 1-2 generations. Could that be an issue? I read on another forum it might actually be beneficial, since the genetically diseased die and only the strong survive.

[Swirlysnowflake]

This happens to me when the pupae are chewed on, but maybe it's different for you? For me, the pupae usually still survives, but is really deformed when it comes out so I usually freeze them.

Edited by Swirlysnowflake, January 25 2021 - 8:45 AM.

[Chickalo]

I've been watching to many xmen movies so when i see mutant i think of super powers

i kinda neglected and let them die kindly forgot about mine until mass death occurred, but i did see a couple of beetles with deformed wings, didn't stop them from mating, ill probably buy some new ones this year and not kill them

[Antkeeper01]

you can sell the deformed dead ones for like $10 as a rare mutation which has a 1 in 1000 chance of happening lol

[Swirlysnowflake]

i kinda neglected and let them die kindly forgot about mine until mass death occurred, but i did see a couple of beetles with deformed wings, didn't stop them from mating, ill probably buy some new ones this year and not kill them

I may have also done this. Just maybe.

[Scherme]

I got a few with screwed up wings in my first Gen. I figured it was due to the others having a munch on each other. Much of my beetles died but I am replenishing. Have way more than I started with.

I don't do anything for humidity.

I am inbreeding too but I plan to throw in some new genetics soon and then create a second beetle tray.

Edited by Scherme, January 25 2021 - 6:43 PM.

[MinigunL5]

 

i kinda neglected and let them die kindly forgot about mine until mass death occurred, but i did see a couple of beetles with deformed wings, didn't stop them from mating, ill probably buy some new ones this year and not kill them

I may have also done this. Just maybe.

 

Same. I don't take feed my mealworms enough. They take at least half an hour to care for and aren't satisfying or cool or anything. They're just boring lil' mfs. I can't wait until I get fruit flies and just have to change their culture every few weeks. That'll be 10 times better.

[Chickalo]

that's acurate af

[Temperateants]

that's acurate af

Use proper grammar please. This is a forum, not discord. 

[Chickalo]

I'm sorry I keep forgetting, I wish I wasn't such an *idiot, but I guess that I will have to just keep working.

(*an over exaggerated bit)

Edited by Chickalo, January 26 2021 - 8:51 AM.