Product Description

Callosobruchus maculatus

For live delivery guarantee: if your temps are below 40 or above 85° the "Hold for Pickup" button must be checked above!

NEVER RELEASE BEAN BEETLES INTO THE WILD!  THEY ARE AGRICUTURAL PESTS AND SHOULD BE FROZEN BEFORE DISPOSAL.

 

 

Q. What is their life cycle?

Females mate and lay hundreds of eggs depositing them on the surface of beans.  The eggs will hatch in 5 to 20 days, depending upon ambient temperature. The larva has chewing mouthparts and enters the bean, where it feeds and matures. The adult will emerge by chewing a hole in the skin of the bean.

Temperature strongly affects generation time: Adults may require seven weeks for emergence at room temperature. In an incubator at 85º F, adults may emerge in 3 to 4 weeks. The adult stage is brief, lasting only ten days to 2 weeks.

Q. How do I care for my culture?

Eggs are deposited on the surface of beans and hatch in 5 to 20 days, depending upon ambient temperature. The larva has chewing mouthparts and enters the bean, where it feeds and matures. Temperature strongly affects generation time: Adults may require seven weeks for emergence at room temperature. In an incubator at 85º F, adults may emerge in 3 to 4 weeks. The adult stage is brief, lasting only ten days to 2 weeks. 

Q. What beans can I use?

We use dried organic beans for the safety of our beetles and the critters that eat them.  Mung, Black-Eyed Peas, and Adzuki can all be used successfully. 

Q. How do you sex the beetles?

 The end plate of the female is much larger and has dark coloration on both sides vs. the male that is markedly smaller and lacks stripes.

MALE:

 

 

FEMALE:

 

 

Q. How do I safely dispose of the culture?

Never dispose of your culture into the trash or otherwise.  When you are ready, freeze your culture for a  minimum of 72 hours to ensure all eggs and larva are deceased.