Phalacrognatus Muelleri
The Phalacrognatus Muelleri can be found in Australia and New Guinea. Known as the most beautiful stag beetle in the world, it is now classified as a species prohibited from being taken abroad. Regarding egg-laying, experiences tend to be divided between those who report "explosive egg-laying" and those who claim "no eggs at all." For the Rainbow stag beetle’s egg-laying setup, the main focus should be on the "egg-laying substrate." The presence of wood is optional, as the Rainbow stag beetle lays eggs in the substrate, making the choice of substrate crucial.
The most important aspect of caring for the Rainbow stag beetle is temperature. Keeping the temperature just below 30°C seems to increase the number of eggs laid. For those struggling to obtain larvae, it is often due to issues with temperature settings. Use beetles that have been at least six months post-emergence for pairing. Although accidents are rare with the Rainbow stag beetle, when housing males and females together, males often disturb the egg-laying process, so it is better to place only the female in the egg-laying setup.
The larvae of the Rainbow stag beetle prefer eating mushroom-based cultures, so using a "fungus bottle" for larval rearing is recommended. Both Kawara and Pleurotus cultures are suitable. The lifespan of a mated male Rainbow stag beetle is around one year, though some long-lived individuals have survived for over two years. The Rainbow stag beetle is highly popular and well-known, and it is expected to become increasingly valuable in the future. If you can obtain one, now might be the best time while the prices are still reasonable.
