Captive Care
Beetle Care Guide
Use species care data to compare temperature, humidity, feeding, larvae management, and enclosure requirements.
330
species
330
with care data
325
with photos
Captive Care
Species with care data
| Species | Temperature | Humidity | Food | Enclosure Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neolucanus swinhoeiNeolucanus swinhoei | 20-26°C | 60-80% | Larvae: fermented wood substrate or mushroom bottle; adults: beetle jelly and fruit | Keep larvae separately; adults need a medium to large ventilated enclosure |
| Fighting BeetleXylotrupes socrates | 22-28°C | 60-80% | Larvae: humus or fermented wood substrate; adults: beetle jelly and fruit | Keep larvae separately; adults need a large ventilated enclosure with deep fermented substrate |
| Protaetia affinisProtaetia affinis | 24-29°C | 60-80% | Larvae: humus or leaf compost; adults: overripe fruit, nectar, and beetle jelly | Medium to large ventilated enclosure with deep humus and climbing branches |
| Chinese Tiger BeetleCicindela chinensis | 24-28°C | 40-60% | Small live prey such as fruit flies, pinhead crickets, and flying insects | Wide shallow enclosure with dry sand or fine soil, rocks, and light |
| Curved-tooth Stag BeetleDorcus curvidens | 20-26°C | 60-80% | Larvae: fermented wood shavings or mushroom bottle; adults: jelly | Keep larvae individually; adults need a medium enclosure |
| Rhinoceros BeetleAllomyrina dichotoma | 20-28°C | 60-80% | Adults: insect jelly/fruit; larvae: fermented substrate | Adult enclosure with climbing bark; larvae kept individually |
| Sun BeetlePachnoda marginata | 24-30°C | 60-70% | Fruit, jelly, and nectar; larvae: humus | Medium to large ventilated enclosure |
| Green ChaferAnomala albopilosa | 22-28°C | 55-75% | Larvae: humus or fermented wood substrate; adults: leaves, nectar, fruit, and beetle jelly | Ventilated enclosure with humus or fermented wood substrate |
| Straight-tooth Stag BeetleDorcus rectus | 20-26°C | 60-80% | Larvae: fermented wood shavings or mushroom bottle; adults: jelly | Keep larvae individually; adults need a medium enclosure |
| Coconut Rhinoceros BeetleOryctes rhinoceros | 24-30°C | 60-80% | Larvae: humus, compost, or rotting palm wood; adults: overripe fruit, coconut, and beetle jelly | Large ventilated enclosure with deep humus or compost for larvae; never release kept beetles in palm-growing regions |
| Rose ChaferCetonia aurata | 22-28°C | 60-70% | Nectar, fruit, and jelly; larvae: humus | Medium ventilated enclosure; larvae need deep substrate |
| Yamato Green ChaferAnomala viridana | 22-28°C | 55-75% | Larvae: humus or fermented wood substrate; adults: leaves, nectar, fruit, and beetle jelly | Ventilated enclosure with humus or fermented wood substrate |
| Alcides Stag BeetleDorcus alcides | 22-26°C | 60-80% | Larvae: fermented wood substrate or mushroom bottle; adults: beetle jelly and fruit | Keep larvae separately; adults need a large ventilated enclosure |
| Hercules BeetleDynastes hercules | 22-28°C | 60-80% | Adults: jelly and fruit; larvae: humus or fermented substrate | Large enclosure; keep larvae individually |
| Oriental Flower ChaferProtaetia orientalis | 22-28°C | 60-70% | Fruit, jelly, and nectar; larvae: humus | Medium ventilated enclosure; larvae need deep substrate |
| Larger Striated ChaferMimela costata | 22-28°C | 55-75% | Larvae: humus or fermented wood substrate; adults: leaves, nectar, fruit, and beetle jelly | Ventilated enclosure with humus or fermented wood substrate |
| Metallic Stag BeetleCyclommatus metallifer | 20-26°C | 60-80% | Larvae: fermented wood shavings or mushroom bottle; adults: jelly | Keep larvae individually; adults need a medium to large enclosure |
| Atlas BeetleChalcosoma atlas | 23-28°C | 60-80% | Adults: jelly and fruit; larvae: humus or fermented substrate | Large enclosure; keep larvae individually |
| Yellow-edged Sun BeetlePachnoda sinuata | 24-30°C | 60-70% | Fruit, jelly, and nectar; larvae: humus | Medium ventilated enclosure |
| Garden ChaferPhyllopertha horticola | 20-26°C | 60-80% | Larvae: humus or fermented wood substrate; adults: leaves, nectar, fruit, and beetle jelly | Ventilated enclosure with humus or fermented wood substrate |
| Confucius Stag BeetleLucanus confucius | 18-24°C | 60-80% | Larvae: fermented wood shavings or mushroom bottle; adults: jelly | Keep larvae individually; adults need a medium to large enclosure |
| Caucasus BeetleChalcosoma caucasus | 23-28°C | 60-80% | Adults: jelly and fruit; larvae: fermented substrate | Large enclosure; keep larvae individually |
| Copper ChaferProtaetia cuprea | 20-26°C | 60-75% | Larvae: humus or fermented wood substrate; adults: beetle jelly, fruit, and nectar | Ventilated enclosure with humus or fermented wood substrate |
| Common CockchaferMelolontha melolontha | 18-24°C | 60-80% | Larvae: humus or fermented wood substrate with a few plant roots; adults: oak and beech leaves plus beetle jelly | Large ventilated enclosure with deep substrate; the long larval stage requires sustained care |
Frequently asked question
Can the same care settings be used for every beetle?
No. Temperature, humidity, substrate, and container size must follow the species and its native climate.