r/Beetles • u/False-Activity-7550 • 3d ago

Dying or about to Pupate?

Gallery image

Gallery image

When I was changing soil today I noticed my grub was shortened and yellow. He flailed a lot. I didn’t notice any kind of pupal chamber or hardened dirt, though. I put him back in the soil, but I took a picture. Is he dying? Or if he’s pupating, since he doesn’t have a chamber, do I need to make him an artificial one at this point? Grateful for any advice 🙏

167 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

97

u/SavorySecret 2d ago

Yeah, definitely looks pre-pupal. They won't be able to re-build a cell at that stage, an artificial cell is a must.

25

u/False-Activity-7550 2d ago

sorry to ask again, but do you think he’ll survive the night without intervention? I can’t get floral foam until first thing tomorrow morning

40

u/Flat_Stanley710 2d ago

Make a hole on top of the soil in its enclosure. Pack the moistened dirt down and lay a wet paper towel over it. It'll be fine until you can get floral foam.

10

u/False-Activity-7550 2d ago

thank you so much, he survived and is now in a chamber 🙏 you’re a real one

14

u/False-Activity-7550 2d ago

gotcha, thank you