{"product_id":"stripy-flower-beetle-dicronorrhina-derbyana","title":"Stripy Flower Beetle (Dicronorrhina Derbyana)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Stripy Flower Beetle is properly one of the best beetles for keepers starting out with the hobby. A striking East and Southern African flower beetle, adults display a metallic green body marked with bold white-cream stripes, reaching an impressive 40-50mm. Unlike many beetles, they're properly active during the day, making them genuinely rewarding display animals — you'll actually see them flying, climbing, and feeding rather than hiding away. Combined with straightforward care, this makes them an excellent first beetle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat You're Getting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis listing is for \u003cstrong\u003elarvae\u003c\/strong\u003e at one of three developmental stages:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eL1 (First instar)\u003c\/strong\u003e — youngest, smallest larvae; longest development time before adult emergence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eL2 (Second instar)\u003c\/strong\u003e — mid-development; moderate timeline to adult\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eL3 (Third instar)\u003c\/strong\u003e — largest, most developed; properly closest to pupation and adult emergence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarvae are pale cream C-shaped grubs that burrow through decaying organic matter, eating as they go. Flower beetle larvae develop properly faster than stag beetles — typically several months rather than over a year — making them a quicker route to adult beetles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAdult Appearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e — 40-50mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColouration\u003c\/strong\u003e — metallic green body with distinctive white-cream striping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eActivity\u003c\/strong\u003e — properly diurnal (day-active), unusual and welcome among hobby beetles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e — adults typically live several months after emergence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlight\u003c\/strong\u003e — strong fliers; properly worth a secure enclosure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSourcing Context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProperly worth being clear: \u003cem\u003eDicronorrhina derbyana\u003c\/em\u003e is well established in European captive breeding. Specimens in the UK hobby come from captive-bred lines rather than wild collection, making them an ethically sound choice. They're widely kept and bred, so support and advice are readily available throughout the UK beetle community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLarval Husbandry\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSubstrate (Critical)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe single most important element for flower beetle larvae:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlake soil\u003c\/strong\u003e — fermented hardwood substrate is properly the gold standard for flower beetle larvae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecaying hardwood and leaf compost\u003c\/strong\u003e — traditional alternative; properly well broken down\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContainer depth\u003c\/strong\u003e — minimum 10-15cm of substrate; more for L3 specimens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReplacement\u003c\/strong\u003e — refresh substrate as larvae consume it, typically every couple of months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/accessories\"\u003eaccessories collection\u003c\/a\u003e for substrate components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eContainer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eL1\/L2\u003c\/strong\u003e — small ventilated containers; can sometimes be raised communally with adequate space\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eL3\u003c\/strong\u003e — larger containers; the more room near pupation the better\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVentilation\u003c\/strong\u003e — breathable lid for gas exchange without drying out\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/enclosures\/enclosure\"\u003eenclosures collection\u003c\/a\u003e for suitable housing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTemperature and Humidity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e — 22-26°C ideal; tolerates 20-28°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity\u003c\/strong\u003e — keep substrate moist but never waterlogged\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance\u003c\/strong\u003e — properly more forgiving than stag beetles, but don't let substrate dry out completely\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLarval Timeline and Pupation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eL1 → L2 → L3\u003c\/strong\u003e — progresses over several months depending on temperature and feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePre-pupa\u003c\/strong\u003e — larva forms a cocoon from substrate and its own secretions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePupa\u003c\/strong\u003e — metamorphosis takes several weeks inside the cocoon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult emergence\u003c\/strong\u003e — emerges, then hardens before becoming active\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProperly critical not to disturb the larva once it forms its cocoon — interference can cause failed pupation. If you find a cocoon during substrate changes, leave it undisturbed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAdult Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce adults emerge, they're properly easy and rewarding to keep:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSetup\u003c\/strong\u003e — enclosure with branches and bark for climbing, plus substrate for egg-laying if breeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e — beetle jelly (specialised commercial food) and fresh fruit (banana, apple, orange go down well)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e — 22-26°C for adults\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecurity\u003c\/strong\u003e — properly strong fliers, so a secure ventilated lid is essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e — readily breed with a mature pair; provide deep flake soil for egg-laying\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDifficulty Assessment\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStripy Flower Beetles are properly:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeginner-friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e — one of the easiest beetles to start with\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFaster than stag beetles\u003c\/strong\u003e — quicker larval development to adult\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay-active and visible\u003c\/strong\u003e — properly excellent display beetles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReadily breedable\u003c\/strong\u003e — a good introduction to the full beetle lifecycle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLive Arrival\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarvae are shipped in their substrate with proper packaging and our standard live arrival guarantee. Browse our wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/other-inverts-for-sale\"\u003eother inverts collection\u003c\/a\u003e for additional invertebrate options beyond our isopod range.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PostPods","offers":[{"title":"L1","offer_id":57540843078014,"sku":null,"price":4.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"L2","offer_id":57540843110782,"sku":null,"price":6.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"L3","offer_id":57540843143550,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0759\/0707\/2294\/files\/stripy-flower-beetle-dicronorrhina-derbyana-8361820.jpg?v=1781276051","url":"https:\/\/postpods.co.uk\/products\/stripy-flower-beetle-dicronorrhina-derbyana","provider":"Isopods For Sale UK | PostPods","version":"1.0","type":"link"}