Easy
East-South Africa
5,0 CM
25-27 °C
Short description:
The basic coloration of Dicronorhina derbyana derbyana is metallic green, more rarely red. The entire upper side of the body is also covered with a pattern of white stripes. The massive stature and a body length of up to 5 cm make this species a very impressive beetle. Often the animals have a shiny metallic red spot on the nuchal shield. The legs are metallic green and only at the tarsi black colored. The underside of the animals is completely black. On the head this beetle species has a small, T-shaped horn.
Dicronorhina derbyana derbyana is becoming increasingly popular, especially thanks to their colors and the fact that the animals are easy to keep. The generation period of these beetles is about 10-12 months. Their natural habitat is the shrub and tree vegetation of Africa. Dicronorhina derbyana derbyana can fly very well and does so from time to time, but we have experienced that the animals in terrariums rarely fly and prefer to crawl.
Adult beetles can be kept in tanks from 30 cm x 30 cm x 40 cm. Larger tanks are however preferable. The larvae have less space requirements and can be raised in BraPlast cans. The substrate in the rearing box and in the tank should be interspersed about 10-20 cm high. The substrate should consist of Flake Soil. The beetles can be kept at temperatures between 18°C and 28°C, but visibly feel most comfortable at temperatures around 25-27°C and are more active than at lower temperatures. In the larval stage, they feed primarily on the soil substrate. If they have pupated and the beetle has hatched, it also buries itself and becomes active for the first time after about 2 weeks. From this point on, the animals live for about 5 months. Dicronorhina derbyana derbyana likes it more dry than too wet, so the humidity should be about 50-60%. Lighting for the terrarium is not necessary, but the animals should be able to follow a day-night rhythm. This species is, like many other rose beetle species, diurnal. As food overripe fruit can be given, which should be offered for hygienic reasons best in small bowls. Beetle jelly is also very popular. Proteins are best offered to the larvae and beetles via Gammarus. As equipment for the terrarium climbing branches are suitable, which are used very gladly. The rest of the design is left free, because the animals do not have high demands on it. Dicronorhina derbyana derbyana has, thanks to the easy keeping, established itself as a super starter beetle.