Small Pentagonal Snail

Small Pentagonal Snail is native to Myanmar, with a recorded size of about 3.5-6 centimeters. Its shape resembles a small pentagonal snail, but the distinguishing feature lies in the two front thoracic horns. The horns of the Small Pentagonal Snail are parallel and extend forward, with a close distance between them, and the thoracic horns on both sides are underdeveloped.

The latest discovered Eupatorus species in China, and also the species with the fewest numbers and narrowest distribution among the three pentagonal species in China. It is easy to be mistaken for Eupatorus sinensis. Its distinguishing feature is that the top thoracic horns are parallel in development, while the horns on both sides are not well developed. There is a wide distance between the top thoracic horns. The adult beetles start to appear at the end of August to early September and feed on the sap of broad-leaved trees and ripe fruits. They have strong phototaxis.

Loving friends who like to crawl suggest keeping it as a pet. It is easy to raise, but be sure to disturb the larvae less. Only change the soil once every 1.5-2 months unless it is full of feces and they have nothing to eat. The larvae have a small courage and cannot withstand tossing. Be careful not to drop it heavily.

If there are problems with the natural pupation chamber of the larva, such as insufficient length (especially for long-horned beetles), mites, wood gnats, nematodes, or earthworms, the larva should be transferred to an artificial pupation chamber. Use flower paste with spoons or other utensils to make an artificial pupation chamber suitable for the size of the larva. Pay attention to moisturizing and observation every day. Note that the pupa is very fragile and easily injured, so try not to handle it unless necessary.

Using Hercules beetle as a reference, the total time for the larval prepupal and pupal stages is about two months. During this time, new structural tissues gradually form inside the pupa, and the pupal skin becomes increasingly wrinkled. The outline of the adult insect becomes increasingly evident until it starts eclosion. During the beginning of the eclosion, the legs of the adult insect begin to move, and after turning over or standing up, it gradually sheds off all the pupal skin and spreads out to dry the inner wings. After the elytra are closed, they gradually fold up. At this time, do not disturb the larva too much, otherwise it may cause problems such as the elytra unable to be closed or the caudal filaments, and even directly lead to death. The previous breeding efforts may be in vain.

The suitable temperature for adult feeding is generally around 20 to 26 degrees Celsius, which is applicable to the majority of species except for high-altitude varieties such as Satan's Pentagonal Snail and Poseidon's Pentagonal Snail, which require lower breeding temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius. Prolonged high temperatures can cause problems such as rotten eggs. For robust varieties such as the National Princess and Unicorn Beetle, natural temperature breeding is also possible, but under temperature control conditions, larger individuals are more likely to occur.

After the adult emerges from its cocoon, it can reproduce in about a month. Pentagonal Snails and Tuber Armadillos generally have strong mating desires. As long as the female is not paying attention, gently place the male on the female's back. If both parties are mature, mating can usually begin immediately. Pay attention throughout the entire mating process, especially with the fiery-tempered varieties like the Nanyang Snail, otherwise the results may be disappointing... For less aggressive varieties like the Hibino Snail, cohabitation for about a week before laying eggs can also be an option, by this time most of them have already mated. After adult mating, the female can lay eggs. If you are worried about not mating successfully, you can try multiple matings, or you can have the male and female lay eggs together, but this method only applies to gentler and less aggressive varieties. The common setup for keeping Pentagonal Snails and Tuber Armadillos is relatively simple. Choose a suitable container and add fermented sawdust. Compress the bottom layer of sawdust and spread the top layer loosely, then add tree bark and jelly (tree leaves can also be added, but it is not necessary). During the laying period, it is advisable to provide the female with high protein foods such as bananas and high-protein jelly, which can increase the egg-laying capacity to some extent. When mixing water with fermented sawdust, it is recommended to use 1L of sawdust to 1L of water, which will provide a moderate humidity. Alternatively, you can judge the humidity of the sawdust based on how it feels in your hands. When you grab a handful of sawdust and squeeze it, a little water should seep out but it should not drip. After releasing it, the sawdust should clump together, but when shaken, it should break apart into multiple pieces. If your hand feels slightly damp, then it is just right. If you find that the food has been eaten or spoiled during the laying period, it should be replaced immediately.

Another thing to mention is the fermented sawdust used in the breeding of laying rooms and larvae. For common varieties such as the Unicorn Beetle and Hibino Snail, it is generally recommended to use medium or heavily fermented sawdust. For special varieties like the Pentagonal Snail and Nanyang Snail, it is recommended to use lightly fermented sawdust. However, it is said that using heavily fermented sawdust to breed Nanyang Snails can also yield good results. Personal recommendation for laying room sawdust is to use fine-grained fermented sawdust, which can promote egg laying to some extent and make it easier for young larvae to feed. Brands like Buglin, Ayin, h-series, Muye, Chongliang, and Monster are all good choices. Currently, there are stable suppliers and good reviews for sawdust brands such as Ayin, Buglin, h-series, Muye, Chongliang, and Monster, but the quality of Buglin and h-series seems to be unstable in recent years, so everyone can choose according to their own judgment.