Egg-laying hide
This small insect hide is designed to resemble the bony parts of a turtle shell without the scutes, hence why it is given a realistically ivory white color. The turtle shell can be stuffed with coconut fibres to allow the beetles to crawl through it. The design is inspired by my experience with beetle-cleaning turtle and tortoise shells and my observations of how fond the beetles make use of these shells.
Besides the fact that this turtle shell is a great way to give the beetles some enrichment, it is also a great tool to provide the beetles of a save spot to lay their eggs. It has already been proven that synthetic fur is a suitable medium for oviposition with Dermestes maculatus (Fontenot et al., 2014). Coconut fibres are more natural and also strongly resemble fur, serving the same purpose.
The measurements of the hide are as follows (length, width, height): 8 x 7.5 x 3.5 cm
Source:
- Fontenot, E.A., Arthur, F.H. & Hartzer, K.L. (2014). Oviposition of Dermestes maculatus DeGeer, the hide beetle, as affected by biological and environmental conditions. Journal of Stored Products Research 64(B): 154-159 p.
