Dorcus Elegantulus
The Dorcus Elegantulus is said to be the smallest Dorcus in the world. It mainly inhabits islands around Indonesia and boasts beautiful colors. The males only reach a maximum size of about 30mm, while females can be under 10mm. Due to its small size, it requires minimal space for breeding, making it an "energy-efficient beetle."
For pairing, cohabitation between the male and female is sufficient, as there is little risk of conflict between them. It is recommended to house the male and female together in a small container for about a week before transferring them to an egg-laying setup. Egg-laying is relatively easy, with eggs laid abundantly in both soft oviposition wood and substrate. The administrator of this site has successfully collected eggs at around 17°C, though 20°C would be preferable. The adult lifespan seems to be just under six months.
Due to the beetle's tiny size, the laid eggs are very small and difficult to spot. It may be best to wait until the larvae have grown before attempting to extract them. Mushroom-based cultures do not seem to suit the larvae well, so substrate rearing is recommended. The lifecycle from larva to adult is very quick, with some females emerging as adults in as little as three months. The male larvae generally take about six months, while the female larvae take approximately five months.
Given the fast lifecycle of this beetle, it is advisable to keep track of potential emergence dates. The Elegans small stag beetle is very easy to care for, requires little space, and is ideal for observation in small cases, making it a great beetle for children to observe.
