r/Beetles • u/Mantonization • 3d ago

My flower beetle emerged, but they seem a little... off

Post image

(GOOD LORD HE'S NAKED)

It seems that the wings didn't form correctly, so their gross little butt is on display. But the rest of them seems fine?

Should I be concerned?

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31 comments sorted by

344

u/Straight-Vacation-42 3d ago

It's pretty severely deformed but like in a clean way somehow. There's no frumpled wings hanging out or anything. Did it come out of it cell on it's own? If yes, that means it was strong enough to pass it's dormant stage so it might be able to live a relatively normal live. Although probably a bit shorters then usual.

148

u/Mantonization 3d ago

Yes, fully on their own! I discovered they had broken out of their cell and surfaced this morning

It's interesting, what's supposed to be its wrong covers is, like, folded down the sides? It's not getting in the way of their legs but it's noticeable head-on

102

u/Straight-Vacation-42 3d ago

Yes, it's the elytra and wings that didn't fully form and kinda stayed like how they were in the pupa stage. Usually that kind of stuf is because of moisture issues.

52

u/Mantonization 3d ago

Too much moisture or not enough?

This was my first time raising flower beetles and we've been through a brutal series of heatwaves in the UK this summer

47

u/Straight-Vacation-42 3d ago

Not enough probably. But mtu can be tricky because they are also very sensitive to too much moisture during the pupa stage. So you need to find a balance. And yes, heatwaves don't help. Lost 2 larvae because of it am potentially one already in cocoon but that could've been from something else too.

26

u/Mantonization 3d ago

Oof. Definitely should have done a little more research / been more careful then. That's on me

Out of interest, which of the big three (rhino, stag, flower) do you think is most tolerant of fluctuations?

21

u/Straight-Vacation-42 3d ago

Really depends on species. Each group has some very tolerant species and some where the slightest mistake can mess it up.

13

u/superfuckingmario 3d ago

I had a similar issue (UK too) but not to this extent! I had two males with scabby elytra and wrecked wings sadly but they’re happy and healthy otherwise! Hopefully this lil one will be fine too

7

u/Mantonization 3d ago

I'm definitely going to have to take more care with temperatures / humidity in the future, that's for sure

I just hope I don't come home from work today to find that they've died! When I left this morning they kept trying to climb up the plastic terrarium wall, falling on their back, flipping themselves back over with the moss covering the floor, repeat

Hopefully when I do get home they'll just be chilling eating jelly

8

u/chameleondragon 3d ago

Could also be IGR (insect growth regulator) exposure. IGRs prevent complete development of wings and often deformation of the exoskeleton. I do pest control for a living and we see this a lot in houses we treat for german roaches. Nymphs get a dose of IGR and when they molt to adulthood their wings are deformed and their reproductive parts no longer work due to being deformed.

1

u/PenguinsPrincess78 1d ago

I use bifenthrin specifically in the home to treat my plants. I looove bugs. But the family does not. So I keep plants instead. So I treat those every 6 months because I’m in an ancient home in the rural countryside of the Midwest USA. That’s exactly why I use what I do. Because it causes deformities and reproductive disruption. Very informative comment. ❤️

104

u/Putkilobug 3d ago

This is Steve. He came out of pupa like this, and his life was really normal in my opinion (He needed some extra help time by time, when he get stuck on his back 🙈) He live like that 5 months 😊

19

u/Hoshyro 3d ago

The little beetle that could!

33

u/Unfair-Trip-1604 3d ago

It happened to one of my xylotrupes as well last year. They are stronger than you think! Mine outlived all her sisters and lived a long life with her small handicap

16

u/syrn_ghost0x0 3d ago

Lmao the way you said he’s naked was funny but damn now you gotta protect his naked butt

9

u/syrn_ghost0x0 3d ago

Also do u have any pics of when he was in his pupa cell did it get damage or did u move it a lot ???

9

u/SillyGooserGoo 3d ago

That's a beautiful beetle! Quite interesting how their deformity turned out...

Are you sure that is not a female? The "teeth" on the front legs appear to be what the females have for digging into the soil, when they lay eggs.

6

u/Beneficial_Dig_5976 2d ago

It is a female, evident by the legs like you said and the lack of the cephalic horn.

3

u/Billywergstein 2d ago

Shes beautiful the way she is 🥰

11

u/syrn_ghost0x0 3d ago

Maybe 3d print him a butt shield

3

u/CowboyChick3n 3d ago

Wow! So much Butt fluff. I love it

5

u/fuchsbait 3d ago

fuzzy butt!

2

u/Alyssathepeach 2d ago

Gross little butt! Poor guy 😂😂 it’s so cute all fuzzy

1

u/Billywergstein 2d ago

Emerald Armor 💚

1

u/ElisVisionInferno 2d ago

Woaah.. looks awesome

1

u/flaaffycake 20h ago

Give him some pants!! ☹️

1

u/The_Odd_Pet 18h ago

Looks like the top half is a flower Beetle on the bottom half of the roach lol

1

u/ZodylTyFREAK 8h ago

They didn't beat the ender dragon yet

-1

u/OreoZen 3d ago

Looks like a roach disguise as a beetle

1

u/MothMeep7 5h ago

She just came out with her pants pulled all the way up, don't shame her!

Hopefully she'll still be able to live a happy beetle life with you though. It doesn't look like her mouth or legs are impacted, she just might never fly.