Peanut Beetles
![Image]()
Popular names: Peanut Beetle, Peanut Bug, Moon Dragon, Cancer Beetle.
I have found 4 different scientific names for peanut beetles - Palembus dermestoides, Martianers dermestoides, Palembus ocularis, and Ulomoides dermestoides.
The peanut beetle is an insect of the order Coleoptera. The word "coleoptera" is from the Greek κολεός, koleos, meaning "sheath"; and πτερόν, pteron, meaning "wing", thus "sheathed wing", because most beetles have two pairs of wings, the front pair, the "elytra", being hardened and thickened into a shell-like protection for the rear pair and the beetle's abdomen.
Peanut beetles are small, flightless, dark brown beetles. The larvae of this insect are often used to feed fish, birds and small reptiles.
It is likely that the peanut beetle originated in China. It was introduced in several countries via contaminated foods and for therapeutic purposes. Folk medicine believes that the larvae and even adult beetles have the power to treat conditions such as eye irritation, rheumatism, asthma, tuberculosis arthritis and even sexual impotence. Believers ingest larvae or beetles live, with water, yogurt or other liquids. These therapeutic properties are not proven by science.
Nutritional Value
![Image]()
P. dermestoides are high in protein, low in fat, have diverse amino acids, and are rich in minerals and trace elements compared with a normal protein resource.
![Image]()
During analysis, the content of Zn was up to 101.00 and 163.00 mg/kg, with no Cd, Hg and Pb found. The index of the essential amino acid was 114.71.
Life Cycle
Reproduction is sexual (male and female individuals). Sexual dimorphism is subtle, if present at all.
To reach adult size, the insect goes through four stages: egg, larva, pupa and beetle. Importantly, the duration of each cycle varies according to several external factors, such as temperature, humidity, nutrition, etc. Ideally, the temperature inside the culture should remain between 20 (68) and 30 (86) degrees Celsius. At 28 (82) degrees, the last stage is reached in about 77 days.
1.Eggs: Eggs are laid by females in the substrate and within the peanut kernels. Incubation takes between 1 and 2 weeks. Each female in their reproductive period lays about 200 eggs.
2.Larvae: The second stage lasts about 2 months. These larvae have a chitin shell of yellowish color that does not follow their growth, so it is exchanged 5 to 10 times until the larvae reach their maximum size of 10mm (~3/8").
3.Pupae: The third phase is the transition between the larva and the beetle. The pupa is almost motionless and curves like a letter "C". This phase is critical due to the danger of dehydration. It can last up to a week.
4.Beetles: After going through 3 stages, this insect reaches its final stage which is in the form of an adult beetle, measuring 5mm (~3/16") in length. Adult beetles may live up to 20 months.
![Image]()
Culture Setup
Housing: The peanut beetles should be kept in plastic containers or glass tanks. Although the beetles are incapable of climbing the smooth walls and do not fly, an escape-proof lid is strongly recommended (based on their diet, it is very clear that these beetles can become pests/infestation should they reach a pantry or food stock). Cultures should be placed on diatomaceous earth or mite paper in order to reduce mite infestations.
The container should be well ventilated (many pin holes or mesh top) to reduce condensation and subsequent molding of the substrate. Mold is the cultures’ main threat.
My setup:
![Image]()
Substrate: The arachidonic acid in peanuts is essential for these beetles. Although they can live on raw peanuts alone, a more nutritious substrate will yield better results. Make new cultures using a layer of raw plain oatmeal and/or bulgur wheat and/or wheat bran, followed by a layer of raw peanuts in shell or shelled and dried bread slices.
![Image]()
Added peanuts on top:
![Image]()
![Image]()
Water: Vegetables and fruits’ slices provide the animals with all the water they need. Cabbage/lettuce stems, banana peel, potato or carrot slices, watermelon peel, apple cores and skin, etc. are good source of water for the beetles. Replace these vegetables when dry or moldy.
Cleaning/New Cultures: In time, a layer of powder will form on the container bottom. When lots of powder has accumulated, use a sieve to separate the powder. Put the content of the sieve (larvae, pupae, beetles, and substrate) in a new box. Put the powder in a plastic bag and freeze it overnight to kill eggs and small larvae. Flush the frozen powder.
CAUTION:
Animals: There have been reports of fatalities in lizards such as Anolis after consumption of adult beetles.
Humans: People around the world are consuming these beetles as treatment for different illnesses such as asthma, Parkinson's, diabetes, arthritis, HIV and specially cancer. There are adverse effects: A study demonstrated that defence compounds of Ulomoides dermestoides reduced cell viability and induced DNA damage. The insect benzoquinones are primarily responsible for inducing cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in culture cells.
There have also been reports of adverse effects associated with consuming the larvae.
Sources
Photos:
Besouro Do Amendoim (Alimento Vivo) Criação e reprodução. - Aquarismo Online [AqOL]
Nutritional Facts:
Determination of nutritional components of in Palembus dermestoides | Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO) | US EPA
Culture Setup:
Random Hobbies: Beetles That Can Cure Cancer
REPTILEFOODSTORE
(www.)forumamordepeixe.com.br/download/Manualbesouro.pdf
Caution:
Pharmacologically active natural products in the defence secretion of Palembus ocularis (Tenebrionidae, Coleoptera). - PubMed - NCBI
Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of defence secretion of Ulomoides dermestoides on A549 cells
An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie
Vitae - CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANTI-IRRITANT CAPACITY OF WHOLE BODY EXTRACTS OF Ulomoides dermestoides (COLEOPTERA, TENEBRIONIDAE)
On Dendroboard
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/food-feeding/225666-peanut-beetles-video.html
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/be...com/forum/beginner-discussion/44746-introducing-myself-ando-my-new-project.html
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/food-feeding/76277-cancer-beetles-ulomoides-dermestoides.html
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/food-feeding/61542-peanut-beetles.html
Popular names: Peanut Beetle, Peanut Bug, Moon Dragon, Cancer Beetle.
I have found 4 different scientific names for peanut beetles - Palembus dermestoides, Martianers dermestoides, Palembus ocularis, and Ulomoides dermestoides.
The peanut beetle is an insect of the order Coleoptera. The word "coleoptera" is from the Greek κολεός, koleos, meaning "sheath"; and πτερόν, pteron, meaning "wing", thus "sheathed wing", because most beetles have two pairs of wings, the front pair, the "elytra", being hardened and thickened into a shell-like protection for the rear pair and the beetle's abdomen.
Peanut beetles are small, flightless, dark brown beetles. The larvae of this insect are often used to feed fish, birds and small reptiles.
It is likely that the peanut beetle originated in China. It was introduced in several countries via contaminated foods and for therapeutic purposes. Folk medicine believes that the larvae and even adult beetles have the power to treat conditions such as eye irritation, rheumatism, asthma, tuberculosis arthritis and even sexual impotence. Believers ingest larvae or beetles live, with water, yogurt or other liquids. These therapeutic properties are not proven by science.
Nutritional Value
P. dermestoides are high in protein, low in fat, have diverse amino acids, and are rich in minerals and trace elements compared with a normal protein resource.
During analysis, the content of Zn was up to 101.00 and 163.00 mg/kg, with no Cd, Hg and Pb found. The index of the essential amino acid was 114.71.
Life Cycle
Reproduction is sexual (male and female individuals). Sexual dimorphism is subtle, if present at all.
To reach adult size, the insect goes through four stages: egg, larva, pupa and beetle. Importantly, the duration of each cycle varies according to several external factors, such as temperature, humidity, nutrition, etc. Ideally, the temperature inside the culture should remain between 20 (68) and 30 (86) degrees Celsius. At 28 (82) degrees, the last stage is reached in about 77 days.
1.Eggs: Eggs are laid by females in the substrate and within the peanut kernels. Incubation takes between 1 and 2 weeks. Each female in their reproductive period lays about 200 eggs.
2.Larvae: The second stage lasts about 2 months. These larvae have a chitin shell of yellowish color that does not follow their growth, so it is exchanged 5 to 10 times until the larvae reach their maximum size of 10mm (~3/8").
3.Pupae: The third phase is the transition between the larva and the beetle. The pupa is almost motionless and curves like a letter "C". This phase is critical due to the danger of dehydration. It can last up to a week.
4.Beetles: After going through 3 stages, this insect reaches its final stage which is in the form of an adult beetle, measuring 5mm (~3/16") in length. Adult beetles may live up to 20 months.
Culture Setup
Housing: The peanut beetles should be kept in plastic containers or glass tanks. Although the beetles are incapable of climbing the smooth walls and do not fly, an escape-proof lid is strongly recommended (based on their diet, it is very clear that these beetles can become pests/infestation should they reach a pantry or food stock). Cultures should be placed on diatomaceous earth or mite paper in order to reduce mite infestations.
The container should be well ventilated (many pin holes or mesh top) to reduce condensation and subsequent molding of the substrate. Mold is the cultures’ main threat.
My setup:
Substrate: The arachidonic acid in peanuts is essential for these beetles. Although they can live on raw peanuts alone, a more nutritious substrate will yield better results. Make new cultures using a layer of raw plain oatmeal and/or bulgur wheat and/or wheat bran, followed by a layer of raw peanuts in shell or shelled and dried bread slices.
Added peanuts on top:
Water: Vegetables and fruits’ slices provide the animals with all the water they need. Cabbage/lettuce stems, banana peel, potato or carrot slices, watermelon peel, apple cores and skin, etc. are good source of water for the beetles. Replace these vegetables when dry or moldy.
Cleaning/New Cultures: In time, a layer of powder will form on the container bottom. When lots of powder has accumulated, use a sieve to separate the powder. Put the content of the sieve (larvae, pupae, beetles, and substrate) in a new box. Put the powder in a plastic bag and freeze it overnight to kill eggs and small larvae. Flush the frozen powder.
CAUTION:
Animals: There have been reports of fatalities in lizards such as Anolis after consumption of adult beetles.
Humans: People around the world are consuming these beetles as treatment for different illnesses such as asthma, Parkinson's, diabetes, arthritis, HIV and specially cancer. There are adverse effects: A study demonstrated that defence compounds of Ulomoides dermestoides reduced cell viability and induced DNA damage. The insect benzoquinones are primarily responsible for inducing cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in culture cells.
There have also been reports of adverse effects associated with consuming the larvae.
Sources
Photos:
Besouro Do Amendoim (Alimento Vivo) Criação e reprodução. - Aquarismo Online [AqOL]
Nutritional Facts:
Determination of nutritional components of in Palembus dermestoides | Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO) | US EPA
Culture Setup:
Random Hobbies: Beetles That Can Cure Cancer
REPTILEFOODSTORE
(www.)forumamordepeixe.com.br/download/Manualbesouro.pdf
Caution:
Pharmacologically active natural products in the defence secretion of Palembus ocularis (Tenebrionidae, Coleoptera). - PubMed - NCBI
Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of defence secretion of Ulomoides dermestoides on A549 cells
An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie
Vitae - CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANTI-IRRITANT CAPACITY OF WHOLE BODY EXTRACTS OF Ulomoides dermestoides (COLEOPTERA, TENEBRIONIDAE)
On Dendroboard
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/food-feeding/225666-peanut-beetles-video.html
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/be...com/forum/beginner-discussion/44746-introducing-myself-ando-my-new-project.html
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/food-feeding/76277-cancer-beetles-ulomoides-dermestoides.html
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/food-feeding/61542-peanut-beetles.html
