9/26/2021: The “final” Goliath update!
Here’s the post you’ve all been waiting for: notes on my failure with goliath beetles! Well, kind of, but not really.
I posted a while ago on trying some experimental rearing methods with goliath beetle larvae. I have some news to report!
Out of 4 larvae in my possession, one was physically lost when it busted out of a pupating container while I was in Florida, one began forming a perfect pupal cell in the rearing enclosure which I busted into while looking to remove the larva under the impression that they would neverrrr everrrrrrr form a pupal cell in something other than clay (this individual formed a pupae in the cell remains once removed to a deli cup but due to the mechanics of beetle eclosure, matured with mangled hindwings and then died), one failed to pupate in 6″ of finely sifted damp river clay, and the last individual… pupated and has matured into a healthy (but small) adult!
My takeaways from this experience… I think my next attempt will involve a larger communal enclosure with a pupation layer beneath the feeding zone. Considering how sturdy the fully formed pupal cells are, I doubt even another larva could or would want to bust into one. A friend received a pair of adult goliaths and has produced a good number of larvae, so I will be coordinating with her to get another group going. Maybe another year or two will be fruitful for getting a low-effort breeding group going. For now, I’ll consider this a sailure: a successful failure!
-Kyle