Mecynorrhina torquata ugandensis
( Moser, 1907 )
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Subfamily: Cetoniinae
Magnificent species of flower beetle native to Africa and of quite substantial size.
This species described by Josef Moser in 1907 is increasingly widespread in breeding. It is found in many color variations such as black, blue, orange, green or even brown. However, the different strains present in breeding have been mixed over time, thus creating new variations such as brown/green, blue/black, etc.
Males measure from 50 to 85mm and are very active during the day. It is not uncommon to observe fights between males. You have to be careful that they do not hurt each other.
Females measure 45 to 60mm and are less active during the day. Once fertilized, they are mostly buried to lay eggs and come to the surface to feed.
This species is native to Africa: mainly Uganda and Congo.
Some points to note
For the dreams : Plastic boxes with ventilation. Provide a quantity of substrate adapted to the number of larvae.
It is advisable to raise the larvae individually (especially at stages L1 and L2, stage L3 being less risky) in boxes of at least 1 to 2 L. Otherwise, to raise them together, it is necessary to provide a fairly large tank, with a larger volume per larva.
For the hulls : It is possible to leave the shell in the breeding box of the larval stage. Otherwise it can be transferred to another box. In all cases, the container must be properly ventilated.
For adults: Provide a terrarium adapted to the number of individuals. For 1 couple, provide for example a terrarium of 50x40x50 (LxWxH) with ventilation on the lid. It is important to provide at least 20cm of substrate for laying eggs. ( If the substrate is not high enough, the females will lay few or no eggs). Also provide small branches for moving around.
The ground should not be completely flat because the beetles that fall on their backs die quickly because they can no longer turn around. It is therefore very important to fill it with bark, stones or other materials and not to flatten the substrate.
Temperature: for optimal conditions 23/24°C but breeding possible between 20°C and 28°C.
Humidity:
For larvae: provide a slightly damp substrate.
During pupation: provide a slightly drier substrate.
For adults: Provide a slightly damp substrate. If the terrarium is well ventilated, provide a small spray of water every 2 to 3 days.
Lighting: Classic lighting required for adults (bulb, spotlight, tube, etc.)
For larvae: Classic flower beetle substrate: decomposed and crushed oak, beech or possibly chestnut leaves. The larvae are saproxylophagous and feed on decomposing materials (wood, leaves). If the larvae lack food, there is a risk of dying them or obtaining small specimens. The substrate will need to be renewed as soon as there is too much excrement.
For adults: Fruits (mainly banana) or beetle jelly. Possible supplement with pollen. To be renewed as often as possible as soon as the food begins to deteriorate.
Incubation
2 to 5 weeks
Development
From 8 to 10 months
Nymphosis
1 1/2 to 2 months
Imago lifespan
4 to 6 months
Sexing: The male has a horn. The female does not. At the larval stage it is possible to know the sex of the larvae (at the L3 stage). This can be useful to take stock of the number of males/females in your breeding. The larger the larva, the easier the identification will be. To do this, simply look at the ventral side of the last abdominal segment. The male has a black point a little larger than the hairs. This is the Herold's organ , a chitinous point, visible by transparency on the L3 larvae. Females do not have it.
Prolificacy: Average if optimal conditions.
Cannibalism: Yes at the L1/L2 larval stage if the volumes of the breeding containers are too low and if there is a lack of food.
