LARVAE: Golden stag beetle (Allotopus moellenkampi babai)

The golden stag beetle is native to the rainforests of Indonesia, and is distinguished by its golden exoskeleton which turns black under high humidity. Historically, the species’ rearing and breeding methods were not well understood, rendering captive breeding impossible. However, recent advances in our knowledge of their ecology, coupled with the efficacy of kawaratake in breeding, have substantially increased the likelihood of observing captive-bred specimens.

Primarily feeds on kawaratake kinshi.  

Beetle larvae go through 3 different larval phases: L1, L2, and L3. After the L3 stage, the larva pupates to turn into an adult beetle!

Difficulty level: Advanced