Anus Beetle is native to Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Argentina, etc. It has a recorded size of about 5 to 12 centimeters. It is very similar to Acteon, with the only difference being that it has a stronger shine, and its horns are short.
Classified separately in 2002, with one species named janusramirezoumfuiita. However, in 2018, Japanese scholars made adjustments to the classification of the Anus Beetle. The two original subspecies, fujita subspecies and ramirezii subspecies, were promoted to independent species. At the same time, a new subspecies, the Argentine subspecies, was also subdivided from the original subspecies.
The newly classified Anus Beetle, known as Megasoma janus janus, is mainly distributed in southern Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil, Sao Paulo state, Bahia state, and eastern Bahia. In terms of appearance, the fighting fish is larger than the two original species and has a stronger shine.
Larval rearing methods
1. Breeding temperature: The temperature range for tropical and subtropical flatland breeds is 22-26°C, such as Acteon and Woolly Mammoth. For high-altitude breeds, the temperature range is 18-22°C, such as Satan. The unicorn beetle, which is found in China and the Korean Peninsula, can survive in temperatures ranging from 15-35°C. However, for longevity, the optimal temperature for most beetles is 20-26°C. After mixing the soil, grab a handful of soil and squeeze it in your hand to see if it forms a loose ball that falls apart when you release your hand.
2. Container requirements: Each type of beetle requires a different container size. Large beetles need containers ranging from 4-15L, medium beetles need containers ranging from 2-4L, and small beetles need containers ranging from 0.5-2L. The containers should be filled with compacted soil. Additionally, for beetles like the unicorn beetle that pupate vertically, the container height should be at least 10cm.
3. Other equipment: It is recommended to purchase a small electronic scale to record the weight of each soil change. A caliper can be used to measure the length of adult beetles. It is also helpful to have label cards to record the weight in grams.
4. During the pre-pupa and pupa stages, it is not recommended to disturb the beetles. If accidentally dug out, another container filled with moist soil can be used to mimic the original pupation chamber. If observation is desired, a lid can be opened, but only when the beetle's legs and mouth are not moving, as the beetle would need to rebuild its pupation chamber. It is advisable to start rearing larvae from L1 and to purchase a group of beetles (3 or 5) to ensure there are both males and females for breeding. This is especially important for beetles like Acteon, where buying as a group is cheaper than buying individually.
5. Discuss beetle food. Unicorn beetles are not picky eaters and can consume both primary and deeply fermented wood shavings. It is worth mentioning that deeply fermented bamboo shavings are particularly effective for feeding Acteon beetles. Additionally, it is recommended to feed deeply fermented wood shavings to South American horned beetles. Except for South American horned beetles, other beetles do not eat rotten wood, and even if they do, it has no effect. Nutrient blocks have the same properties as rotten wood, so there is no need to purchase them. Nutrient blocks are just a scam for beginners, so don't fall for it!
Adult beetle rearing
1. Maintain a temperature between 22-26°C. Regularly spray water and use water moss and wood shavings as substrate. Tree bark and leaves are optional. You can also purchase a set from Muyeon.
2. Food options include beetle jelly, bananas, and apples. The length of each beetle's dormant period varies. For example, Acteon beetles usually have a dormant period of 1-2 months during which they should not be disturbed. The temperature during the dormant period should be around 22°C. For beetles like the South American horned beetle that require hibernation, if the adult beetles emerge from late summer to autumn, they should be kept in an environment of around 10°C.