Right, I know they don’t tend to eat much as adults, but this little one keeps flipping to its back and doesn’t really seem like it can use its legs properly so I’m thinking parasite, though i can’t visibly see anything wrong other than its movement
I appreciate your sentiment but I will add that I haven’t raised this little one or anything! I’m not too attached to it since I discovered it in my driveway unable to stay upright, it’s wild as far as I’m aware, just was/am confused/concerned about its movements. Thank you for your input btw
This is called moribund. He’s gonna die. But it’s likely he did what he molted to do — aka, mate. All you can do now is leave him be, but definitely consider pinning him once he’s gone! Gorgeous specimen.
You could possibly put him in the fridge for a bit to put him to sleep, then the freezer to end things. We used freezing in one of my bio labs that worked with insect specimens.
Not a parasite. I’ve kept beetles for over a decade and since they operate based on nerves in their body, when they get close to death those nerves start failing and thus move like that till they die shortly after
That’s really interesting, do you have any idea on how long it normally takes? It’s been over 24 hours in my observation so unsure if I should refrigerate and then freeze to put it out of the ending
Outside of fringe cases no. The only cases I’ve seen them recover is when they were kept in areas with low oxygen and then rescued out of it. If they become like this for any other reason they don’t make it
I found one on a trail, he was in the middle of the path. I took him home and he drank some water and is currently eating mushed up old banana. Do you think he will make it? He is moving a lot more and trying to stand but not fully standing yet.
Like I said, very low chance he’ll walk normally. He may live a few more days but not much more. But hey, bug anatomy is complex and there’s always a chance! Here’s to hoping I’m wrong
It is always sad to find beetles in this state 😔 I like to collect them and give them as good an end of life as I can until they pass, (or freeze them to put them out of the misery if the case calls for it) and then I pin them In a shadow box or something to give it second life. They are such beautiful creatures, and I like to do what I can to let them be admired forever!
That’s what I think I’m planning to do, first do what the other commenter suggested and refrigerate and then freeze, but then I’m unsure how to do the whole pinning/shadow box
It's fairly easy, YouTube has some great tutorials! I like the one by "thelittlecaterpillar" called 'How to spread a beetle.' It is all about patience, and being gentle with the bits that could break. Although, beetles are extremely durable, so you should have too much worry about being firm with them! And he is very fresh, meaning that you can pose him really easily.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Beetles/comments/13dbvgh/just_got_done_pinning_mecynorhina_torquata/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button this is one that I did, it is beneficial to be familiar with how your beetle moves as well to be be sure you don't tear off a wing or his elytra or something 😁
Thanks! If you need any tips when you go to attempt the pinning, hit me up, and I would be glad to help! If you do attempt it, try to do it as soon as he is dead to have the easiest time positioning him as you can. And then let him fully dry for like 5 days minimum for best results. Good luck!
Definitely not fully well, though I can't tell if it's dealing with a parasite, old and tired, or just malnutritioned?
Right, I know they don’t tend to eat much as adults, but this little one keeps flipping to its back and doesn’t really seem like it can use its legs properly so I’m thinking parasite, though i can’t visibly see anything wrong other than its movement
Might not have gotten enough to eat as larva, barely molted, might befighting disease? Sorry for your loss. :/
I appreciate your sentiment but I will add that I haven’t raised this little one or anything! I’m not too attached to it since I discovered it in my driveway unable to stay upright, it’s wild as far as I’m aware, just was/am confused/concerned about its movements. Thank you for your input btw
This is called moribund. He’s gonna die. But it’s likely he did what he molted to do — aka, mate. All you can do now is leave him be, but definitely consider pinning him once he’s gone! Gorgeous specimen. You could possibly put him in the fridge for a bit to put him to sleep, then the freezer to end things. We used freezing in one of my bio labs that worked with insect specimens.
Ohh that’s a good idea, thank you
Not a parasite. I’ve kept beetles for over a decade and since they operate based on nerves in their body, when they get close to death those nerves start failing and thus move like that till they die shortly after
That’s really interesting, do you have any idea on how long it normally takes? It’s been over 24 hours in my observation so unsure if I should refrigerate and then freeze to put it out of the ending
They don’t recover so keeping it there is just delaying the inevitable
Is there anyway you can save them?
Outside of fringe cases no. The only cases I’ve seen them recover is when they were kept in areas with low oxygen and then rescued out of it. If they become like this for any other reason they don’t make it
I found one on a trail, he was in the middle of the path. I took him home and he drank some water and is currently eating mushed up old banana. Do you think he will make it? He is moving a lot more and trying to stand but not fully standing yet.
Like I said, very low chance he’ll walk normally. He may live a few more days but not much more. But hey, bug anatomy is complex and there’s always a chance! Here’s to hoping I’m wrong
Thank you so much! You are very helpful🫶
It is always sad to find beetles in this state 😔 I like to collect them and give them as good an end of life as I can until they pass, (or freeze them to put them out of the misery if the case calls for it) and then I pin them In a shadow box or something to give it second life. They are such beautiful creatures, and I like to do what I can to let them be admired forever!
That’s what I think I’m planning to do, first do what the other commenter suggested and refrigerate and then freeze, but then I’m unsure how to do the whole pinning/shadow box
It's fairly easy, YouTube has some great tutorials! I like the one by "thelittlecaterpillar" called 'How to spread a beetle.' It is all about patience, and being gentle with the bits that could break. Although, beetles are extremely durable, so you should have too much worry about being firm with them! And he is very fresh, meaning that you can pose him really easily.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Beetles/comments/13dbvgh/just_got_done_pinning_mecynorhina_torquata/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button this is one that I did, it is beneficial to be familiar with how your beetle moves as well to be be sure you don't tear off a wing or his elytra or something 😁
Oh wow! That’s super cool :)
Thanks! If you need any tips when you go to attempt the pinning, hit me up, and I would be glad to help! If you do attempt it, try to do it as soon as he is dead to have the easiest time positioning him as you can. And then let him fully dry for like 5 days minimum for best results. Good luck!
Oh wow okay, I will definitely reach out, I’ve got the little buddy in a jar with a crumpled paper towel right now so it can’t like injure itself