Rainbow stag beetle (Phalacrognathus muelleri)

Short answers

Rainbow stag beetle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Beetles: approx. 30×20×20 cm; larvae ideally individually, L3 in at least 0.8 l (flake soil or kinshi).

Rainbow stag beetle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C (ideally 20–24 °C), at night 18–20 °C.

Rainbow stag beetle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Rainbow stag beetle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: the beetle is relatively long-lived (several months); egg to beetle takes about 4–8 months.

Rainbow stag beetle: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C (ideally 20–24 °C)

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–80 % (substrate and wood kept damp)

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

beetles: approx. 30×20×20 cm; larvae ideally individually, L3 in at least 0.8 l (flake soil or kinshi)

Substrate

White-rotted deciduous wood or flake soil (fermented wood-humus substrate); damp, not wet

Feeding

Food

Beetles: beetle jelly, a sap substitute, overripe fruit; larvae: white-rotted wood or flake soil

Feeding interval

beetles: jelly 2–3×/week; the larvae feed continuously from the substrate

Key facts

Adult size

males approx. 40–70 mm (including the mandibles), females approx. 24–40 mm

Life expectancy

the beetle is relatively long-lived (several months); egg to beetle takes about 4–8 months

Origin

Northern Queensland (Australia) and New Guinea

Protection status

No CITES or special protection in Germany; export from Australia is regulated – captive-bred animals in the trade

Brumation

None (keep the temperature even)

Cohabitation

Group housing possible: adult beetles are fairly peaceable for stag beetles, and pair or group housing works well given enough space, food and hiding spots, though males may occasionally compete over feeding spots. Larvae, however, should be raised singly from the second instar (L2) onward — cramped conditions or too little substrate bring a risk of cannibalism and stress.

Notes

One of the easier-to-keep jewel stag beetles, and colourful. Communal rearing of the larvae only with plenty of substrate and space, otherwise cannibalism. Common mistakes: substrate too dry, and larvae too crowded.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Actaeon beetle (Megasoma actaeon) – Intermediate
• Atlas beetle (Chalcosoma atlas) – Intermediate
• Elephant beetle (Megasoma elephas) – Intermediate
• European rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes nasicornis) – Intermediate
• Goliath beetle (Goliathus goliatus) – Expert
• Grall's flower beetle (Eudicella gralli) – Beginner
• Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) – Intermediate
• European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Rainbow stag beetle (Phalacrognathus muelleri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (beetles: approx. 30×20×20 cm; larvae ideally individually, L3 in at least 0.8 l (flake soil or kinshi)), substrate (White-rotted deciduous wood or flake soil (fermented wood-humus substrate); damp, not wet), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.