THE ARIZONA DENDROBATE RANCH
BEETLE ROUND-UP TECHNIQUE




Howdy All,

I had intended to keep this technique a secret until next Frog Day (as the insidious Mr. Powell has used his mind-powers to force me to accept and offer to speak), but have told a few, so the secret is out. Take a minute and read the rest of the this post, I hope you will think it worth the investment.

Many PDFer’s find the chore of separating the beetles from the larvae the most frustrating part of working with Rice Flour Beetle Cultures. I always did, but since (most) frogs don’t like the beetles it can make a big mess just dumping the beetles with the larvae into the tank.

Anyhow, I was watching some beetles and larvae that I had sifted out of the media and notices that the beetles all struggled to the top, leaving the beetles at the bottom. For many of you, that bit of insight is probably all you needed to start thinking about what I did at the time. I thought wow, if I give those beetles somewhere to go, then they will probably go and leave their little siblings behind!!!

Okay, here is what to do to effortlessly sort the beetles and larvae, leaving 95% larvae for your dining pleasure;

Place sifted beetles and larvae in wide mouth mason jar or something similar. Set the mason jar in a Rubbermaid or similar container that the beetles cannot climb out of. Create a 1 inch wide strip of cloth, by tearing it off an old towel. You want a 1 inch by 12 inch strip of cloth. Dip one end in the mason jar, with about a 1/2 inch laying on the surface of the beetles. Lay the other strip out into the Rubbermaid (sometimes I even tuck it under the mason jar so it doesn’t get pulled back in with the weight of the climbing beetles). What will happen is the beetles will climb the strip usually falling off it once at the top or heading down the other side. Let it sit about an hour or longer and you are left with mostly larvae in the mason jar. Viola!!

I officially name this technique;

THE ARIZONA DENDROBATE RANCH BEETLE ROUND-UP TECHNIQUE

Unless, someone has a better suggestion.

Now, the disclaimer;

I swear on the Jewels of the Rainforest, that I have never ever, ever heard of anyone else, anywhere else, using, publishing or discussing the above stated technique. And furthermore, further swear under oath, that I firmly believe that I am the first to develop and publish the above stated process for the good of all Dendrobators all across the world.

“Really, everyone dendrobates, you don’t have to be ashamed. . . . . “

Sorry, couldn’t let that one pass – I am a Dendrobater and proud of it!!!

Anyhow, I firmly believe that feeding our PDF and mantellas RF larvae makes a big difference, including increasing chances of successful breeding from our adults. I have always hated the mess and frustration of working with them, however counted them as a necessary part of working with dinural frogs. Since working out the above technique, it has been much, much, much easier. I hope it will make it easier for many of you too. That is the primary reason I could not keep it secret, I just knew how helpful it would be, and I actually felt guilty not sharing it.

Amanda and I will be at NWFF – we are looking forward to seeing many of you there.

Take care, and keep on Dendrobating (just not in public ;),

Greg Sihler

HYPERLINK "http://www.azdr.com/"http://www.azdr.com


more SOON









_______from the notes and contributions of Frognet Patrons_______