General Family Care Guides

I try to generalize how to do things here, but you should check out the blog about specific care on each species, I will try to add as much as I can!

Dynastinae

Dynasties are generally very easy to care for. The most typical of the US dynastids are Dynastes granti and Dynastes tityus, both of which breed well in the organic raised bed soil method mentioned in beetle basics. Other genera such as Strategus can be raised in similar methods, but I'll put more details in a blog post.
The most unique of US Dynastids are in the genus Phileurus, the adults of them are predatory. Their larvae require flake soil, unlike other native dynastids. Adults oviposit readily, but be sure to feed them well, and only keep one female per breeding bin

Lucanidae

US Lucanidae are extremely easy, with most of our larger species breeding readily in just flake soil.
There are two species in the genus Dorcus in the US, both of them will breed in just flake soil, though in very small amounts. It is recommended to add some logs for adults to lay more larvae. The author have had luck in just using freshly cut logs that are simply arm thickness, so adults are not picky.
One of our most unique larger Lucanidae is Lucanus placidus. They will lay readily in bins filled with sand, with 30 percent flake soil mixed in.
I will do separate blog posts on smaller niche species later on.

Cetoniidae

The US have a huge array of various native flower beetles - Cotinis, Euphoria, Gymnetis, Osmoderma to name a few.
All of them are very easy to raise, simply use the raised bed soil method mentioned previously.
Be sure to add a good layer of sand for pupating when working with the genus Cotinis, though it is not needed for other members of this family.
Flower beetles benefit heavily when fed with protein, and I will discuss protein supplements in a later post.

Elateridae

One cool thing about the US is the amount of fantastic click beetles available!
All our hobby species, such as Alaus as well as glowing click beetles, have predatory larvae.
They lay eggs near the surface, and will oviposit in any moist organic substrate.
Larvae must be separated early on and can be fed fish pellets.
Adults can be cared for just like any other beetle, fed jellies or fruits. They are very surface active and make great displays!

Rutelinae

There are many amazing Rutelines in the US hobby as well, most notably being Chrysina and Rutela.
Chrysina do well in general Dynastid care, nothing really special about them. Adults will munch on apples but prefer to have their host plant's leaves as well.
Rutela can be bred like native Dorcus species, and adults feed readily on beetle jelly.

Tenebrionidae

Darkling beetles are very diverse, with many varied diets.
Here, I will discuss our desert species'!
Most of them will take dogfood and squash as adults, and lay eggs in damp organic substrate- organic raised bed soil works well!
The larvae will eat most organic substrate along with protein foods such as dogfood. In general they are communal, but with exceptions, as with blue death feigning beetles and their relatives.
Larvae will pupate in sand-clay mixtures, most death feigning beetles need to be heated above 80 degrees for pupation.

Scarabaeinae

Dung beetles? Really?
Yeah...
They are pretty easy at the end of the day, larvae need dung to survive, and adults will make the brood balls.
Simply provide the adults with 7 inches of substrate (sand/topsoil mixes work best), and keep it semi- damp. Adults will build burrows and bury the poop. Most types of dung works.
If you just intend to keep adults, they can be sustained on just jelly.

Carabidae

Carabidae is a family containing many many long lived beetles.
Genera like Carabus will breed if adults are simply fed well, while Calosoma needs the presence of caterpillar poop.
Overall, breeding can be very challenging, with many species having never been bred.
Adults are easy to keep however, and will take just dogfood!

Cerambycidae

Last but not least, we talk about the majestic Cerambycidae!
Most adults in this family will feed on jelly, but certain species do not feed as adults.
Most larger longhorn beetles will lay eggs in just raw sawdust! Simply expand the pellets and you are set!
Larvae do feed on each other, so be careful of that when raising them.