Wallich's Flower Beetle

Wallich's Flower Beetle key facts

Care level

Intermediate

Lifespan

Adults 3-6 months

Size

20-32mm (range given for the genus)

Diet

Adults take beetle jelly and fruit; larvae feed on a leaf and compost mix

Temperature & Humidity

Do not keep the larvae too warm during pupation: in one breeding record this made the adults emerge in January, and temperature control and a resting period appear to matter for breeding over several generations. Keep the clay layer only slightly damp.

Breeding & Egg-laying

Females will not lay in ordinary substrate. Place fresh leaves of apple or plum on the surface and the female will fold one, bury it and lay a single egg inside the parcel. The larvae hatch after two to four weeks. For pupation a clay layer must be placed beneath the substrate, and because larvae can destroy each other's cocoons they should be separated at that stage.

Cohabitation

Adult males fight with their horn-like projections, so keep them apart except for pairing, and separate the larvae at pupation.

Lifespan & Rearing Period

Larvae obtained as late second instars have been reported to pupate within about two months.

Health & Notes

What reaches the hobby is mostly the Taiwanese subspecies bourgoini; breeding reports for the nominate form are almost absent. Importing live stock requires the species identification certificate demanded for Scarabaeoidea. Use leaves free of pesticide residue for the egg-laying set.

About Wallich's Flower Beetle

A flower chafer native to Southeast and East Asia, known for the male's forked, antler-like horn and long front legs. A Taiwanese subspecies, bourgoini, is also available. Considered an intermediate-level species to keep.

7 things to know before welcoming a Wallich's Flower Beetle

1. 1Only Males Have the Horn

   Males have a forked, antler-like horn growing from the head. Females lack this horn entirely, which makes telling the sexes apart fairly easy.

2. 2The Taiwanese Subspecies Bourgoini

   The subspecies from Taiwan, known as bourgoini, is the form mainly seen in the trade. It's worth checking provenance when you buy.

3. 3Notably Long Front Legs

   As is typical of its genus, this beetle has especially long front legs and a slender build rather than a bulky one. Together with the male's forked horn, they are a major part of its appeal.

4. 4Egg-Laying Needs Fresh Leaves

   Females require fresh, live leaves in order to lay eggs. If you're aiming to breed this species, swap the leaves regularly before they wither so the enclosure stays suitable for egg-laying.

5. 5Pupation Requires a Clay Layer

   When larvae are ready to pupate, they need a clay layer beneath the substrate. Without it, emergence often fails, so prepare a clay layer in the later larval stage and keep it only lightly damp rather than soaked.

6. 6Native Range Spans SE to East Asia

   This beetle's natural range extends from Southeast Asia into East Asia. Given that broad distribution, it has adapted to varied climates in the wild, so it's worth keeping an eye on temperature and humidity in captivity too.

7. 7Best Suited to Experienced Keepers

   Wallich's Flower Beetle is generally considered suited to intermediate-level keepers. Because different life stages call for different setups — fresh leaves, clay-rich soil, and so on — it's best approached once you have some insect-keeping experience under your belt.

Frequently asked questions about Wallich's Flower Beetle

Q.Is this beetle suitable for beginners?

A.Wallich's Flower Beetle is generally considered an intermediate-level species. Because it calls for stage-specific care — fresh leaves for egg-laying, clay-rich soil for pupation — it's best attempted once you already have some insect-keeping experience.

Q.How can you tell males and females apart?

A.The clearest difference is the forked horn on the male's head. Females don't grow this horn at all, so its presence or absence is an easy way to sex the beetle.

Q.How big do adults get?

A.Adults generally fall within the 20-32mm range typical of the flower chafer genus they belong to. Individual size can vary somewhat from beetle to beetle.

Q.Do Taiwanese individuals differ from others?

A.Taiwan is home to a subspecies known as bourgoini, which is the form mainly seen in the trade. Breeding reports for the nominate subspecies are scarce, so it's worth checking provenance when you buy.

Q.What's needed to breed them?

A.Females need fresh, live leaves in order to lay eggs, and larvae require clay-rich soil to pupate successfully. Providing the right setup for each life stage is the key to breeding this species.

Useful tools for Wallich's Flower Beetle care

Learn more about Wallich's Flower Beetle in the encyclopedia

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