CONDITIONING OF THE LARVAE OF CETONIIDAE, REQUIRING ARGILLACEOUS GROUND FOR PUPATION.

I. What is argillaceous ground ? And how to recognize it ?

The “argillaceous” ground which one uses to allow the pupation is a ground which it is possible to make a “roll” in his hands and which have an aspect near to the clay. Like the picture show it.

This ground can contain some small stones which will not be a problem for the larvae. The argillaceous ground must be wet before its use.

II. Why argillaceous ground for pupation ?

We do not have the exact answer, however some kinds and species require this argillaceous ground for the pupation. If this one is not present, much of larvae will not make pupation and will die while others will do one of them, but the nymph will survive with difficulty.

To give an example with 10 larvae L3 of Eccoptocnemis semiviridis. It's a species which requires argillaceous ground for the pupation:

Without argillaceous ground: 6 larvae didn't makes pupation, 4 makes pupation with the traditional substrate, 2 nymphs died in pupa and 2 imagoes left.

With argillaceous ground: 10 pupations, 1 nymph died and 9 imagos left.

III. Which are the kinds and species requiring the argillaceous ground ?

Here a nonexhaustive list of the species requiring of the argillaceous ground :

1. Coelorrhina (Eccoptocnemis) semiviridis +++
2. Coelorrhina (Eccoptocnemis) superba +++
3. Fornassinus fornassini +++
4. Goliathus albosignathus ssp. ++
5. Goliathus orientalis ssp. ++

IV. How to use her ?

Here we transfer the larvae of Coelorrhina superba (Eccoptocnemis superba) at the L3 stage close to the “nymphose”, coming from the box of laying towards to individual with argillaceous ground.

Initially, it is necessary to prepare the box. Which means to bore ventilations. The holes on the lids are carried out with a drilling machine-screw driver and a small wick from 3 to 4 mms (diameter).
We realize between 3 and 6 holes per lid, that is sufficient for a good ventilation and does not desiccate the substrate.

Then it will be necessary to prepare the argillaceous ground by crumbling, it's to facilitate the transfer in the box.
On the picture we passed the ground to the crushing one, but that requires to remove all the small stones which are there. The best means is to crumble the ground with the hand.

Then, to lay out the ground with the bottom of boxs on approximately 1/3 or 1/4 of his height.

When the ground is spread out in the box, by no need to pack it enormously, support simply and slightly with your fingers.

After having slightly packed the ground, put a good layer of traditional substrate for Cetonnidae (80% from sheets and wood 20%).

When the ground, the substrate and ventilations are made, you can deposit larva.
Our small easy way is to dig a hole with the fingers in the substrate and to place the larva delicately there, then we recover the hole with substrate.

The boxs finished, do not forget to note the name of the kind and the species present in the box.

A little more than two months after, all the larvae arrived at the imago stage.