Aegus Platyodon
The Aegus Platyodon is one of the larger species among the Nebuto group. Currently, six subspecies have been identified. A notable characteristic is the male’s mandibles. In males around the 40mm class, the inner teeth form a "star shape." This species is one of the most peculiar and attractive due to its unique mandibles. It is relatively heat-tolerant but sensitive to cold, making it suitable for breeding even in environments without summer temperature control.
For pairing, while some males can be aggressive, their grip is generally weak, so cohabitation of males and females is usually not problematic. The egg-laying temperature range is broad, from 20°C to 30°C, with an optimal temperature just above 20°C. For the egg-laying setup, although females can lay eggs in wood, it is not strictly necessary. Instead, using well-fermented, finely textured substrate with a higher moisture content will suffice. Egg-laying is very easy.
However, it is advisable to be cautious during the larval extraction period. On this page, there was an instance where 20 collected eggs did not survive, so it may be safer to collect the larvae after they have hatched and started growing. For larval rearing, feeding them finely textured fermented substrate ensures safe development. Platyodontus larvae do not thrive in mushroom-based cultures, but those that do grow in such environments can become significantly larger than larvae raised on substrate. This means that although they tend to avoid mushroom cultures, if they start feeding on them, they can grow to a larger size. The largest specimens were raised on Kawara fungus.
The larval period is a little over six months. The Platyodontus larvae have a unique behavior: they produce a sound by rubbing their forelegs and middle legs together. While Giraffe stag beetle larvae also make sounds, these Nebuto larvae share this trait. After about six months, the larvae spin a cocoon and pupate inside it, a stage that requires attention. The cocoon should not be broken. To check if the beetle has emerged or is still in the pupal stage, gently shake the cocoon. If the beetle has emerged, you will feel it rolling inside. If you feel movement, you can carefully open the cocoon.
For breeding, use individuals that have been out of the cocoon for about two months before pairing them again for breeding. Platyodontus Nebuto can produce up to 100 offspring, making it a prolific species typical of the Nebuto group. The Platyodontus Nebuto Stag Beetle is very easy to care for, lays eggs readily, and has attractive star-shaped mandibles in the males. Its fast emergence cycle makes it ideal for families to enjoy raising together.
