WTH are these?

[Tyaeda]

So I bought 250 crickets and there were these weird little bugs in there that I never saw before. I was reassured that they were ok, and that they are "maggots" that eat any dead crickets. He couldn't tell me exactly what they were, and mentioned that the owner was treating it like a trade-secret.

They like 3/4 inch long, fuzzy, with 6 legs. Ignore the white spots in the picture - it's residual calcium dust from the cricket tweezers we use.

Two questions; What the hell are they? Can I feed them off to my veiled?

 

[carol5208]

I have never seen fuzzy ones like that. I have seen the ones that are smooth and look kinda like phoenix worms in with the crickets

 

[DanSB]

Dermestid beetle larvae. The same beetles museums use to strip flesh off of dead bodies. Lots of cricket breeders use them as a clean up crew to get rid of dead crix.

I wouldn't feed them off.

I personally think it is lazy and try to avoid breeders that use them but that isn't always possible as most of them do.

 

[Tyaeda]

Apparently, according to the store guy, they don't change into anything, and usually stay around the same size as that.

 

[Tyaeda]

Dermestid beetle larvae. The same beetles museums use to strip flesh off of dead bodies. Lots of cricket breeders use them as a clean up crew to get rid of dead crix.

I wouldn't feed them off.

I personally think it is lazy and try to avoid breeders that use them but that isn't always possible as most of them do.

Ok thank you. Mr.Pink won't be offered any.

 

[DanSB]

Apparently, according to the store guy, they don't change into anything, and usually stay around the same size as that.

That is Bull! They change into little beetles. The guy at the pet store should learn that I don't know is an acceptable answer.

 

[Tyaeda]

That is Bull! They change into little beetles. The guy at the pet store should learn that I don't know is an acceptable answer.

He was one of the teens that work at the store, the owner wasn't in, so I'm not too worried about his lack of knowledge. He said that the owner put them in there on purpose... so I wasn't too worried about it after that.

 

[DanSB]

He was one of the teens that work at the store, the owner wasn't in, so I'm not too worried about his lack of knowledge. He said that the owner put them in there on purpose... so I wasn't too worried about it after that.

Yeah, they are safe enough and will generally only eat dead crickets. I've seen them eat crickets that weren't quite dead yet though.

I think cricket bins should be cleaned often enough so these aren't necessary.

 

[DanSB]

And make sure none get loose, they have the potential to be a destructive pest. Some species are really bad, these aren't likely too bad but no sense in taking a chance.

 

[Tyaeda]

Well a quick google search says that the beetles fly, so they'll be out before that happens.

I have my crickets, and these larvae in a tupperware container with packing tape around the perimeter of the inside walls. Should that keep these things in there too?

 

[DanSB]

I personally only trust screen lids. One thing you can do that I currently use on some bug boxes is just poke a ton of small needle sized holes in the plastic top. I've done this for years in holding bins with no trouble. You do need to watch moisture build up but opening daily when feeding seems to help.

 

[Tyaeda]

I use the lid that came with the tupperware bin, but the middle of the lid has a big hole cut out of it with aluminum screening covering the hole. hopefully that will work.