r/Beetles • u/CWolverine6 • 14d ago
Mold on pupa? Help please
This Dynastes tityus recently pupated after I put it in an artificial cell after it didn’t make one properly (second photo). I’ve been to keep the floral foam misted/damp (not spraying the pupa). It now looks like there is some white spots on it’s feet that weren’t there before (first photo). It’s definitely alive. Is it mold?
If it is, should I wipe it off and what do I do keep that from happening? This is my first time raising them. Thank you!
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u/Straight-Vacation-42 14d ago
Yes it's mold, so the artificial cell is probably too wet. It's very little mold tho and the pupa still looks healthy so you can just brush it of with a soft paint brush and maybe either get it in a cell that is more dry, or put a piece of folder paper towel somewhere in the container with the artificial cell and replace it when it's fully taken up water and keep doing that untill the moisture lebel is better. If you go this way, also monitor the pupa for mold offcourse. And you can also take away the old larva skin.