CATDOLL : CATDOLL: What are the methods for raising fireflies? (What are the methods for raising fireflies?)

1. How to raise fireflies so that the flowers and plants can smile like during the day?

How to raise fireflies

Family-style feeding

1. If the larvae are aquatic, place soil, gravel and rocks containing aquatic plants in the aquarium; then put in the vertebral snails caught from the river, and the larvae can survive. In order for the larvae to get enough oxygen, an air pump should be equipped. The water temperature can be maintained between 15-25℃, and the pH value of the water can be maintained between 6.5-8. Note that there is a muddy bank protruding from the water surface in one corner of the aquarium for mature larvae to pupate. It is even better if the aquarium can be equipped with a filter.

2. If the larvae are terrestrial, place 5-7 cm thick loam mixed with sand in the aquarium, plant various weeds, small wood chips, fallen leaves and broken tiles on top; then put in small snails collected from the wild, which can feed on vegetable leaves. Be careful to remove rotten leaves and eaten snail shells.

Larger scale breeding

The method for terrestrial species is the same as above, but a fine net should be used to prevent the larvae from escaping; for aquatic species, an artificial river can be built to allow the water to circulate, preferably with an artificial waterfall to increase the amount of oxygen dissolved naturally. Then carp or carp can be raised in the river, and algae can be reproduced with the feces of the carp. These algae can provide food for snails; and the larvae of fireflies can prey on these snails. Note that the slope of the river should be soil for mature larvae to pupate.

As for the source of insects, larvae can be collected from unpolluted ponds and rivers, or by following the glow of fireflies at night to find larvae active on the wet ground. If female insects are captured, they can also be placed in a petri dish containing moist filter paper and attempts can be made to collect eggs. The firefly eggs obtained can then be used as the source of insects.

2. Can fireflies be kept as pets?

This concept is the same as home-style breeding, but if the site allows, it is best to arrange it as close to the natural environment as possible. The breeding method for terrestrial species is the same as above, but they should be covered with a fine net to prevent escape; a vegetable garden can be planted to raise snails for the larvae to prey on. For aquatic species, an artificial river can be built to allow the water to circulate. It is best to have an artificial waterfall to increase the amount of oxygen dissolved naturally, but it should be noted that firefly larvae need an environment with slow water flow. Then raise carp and other fish in the river, and use the feces discharged by the carp to reproduce algae. These algae can provide food for snails; and firefly larvae can prey on these snails. Note that the slope of the river should be soil for mature larvae to pupate. If there is a larger breeding space, you can also consider designing an aquatic and terrestrial environment. Firefly larvae are carnivorous. Most terrestrial firefly larvae eat smaller snails. Of course, there are some exceptions, such as the two-color hanging whiskers firefly that only eats earthworms and not snails. Most aquatic firefly larvae eat snails in the water. Sometimes they also eat small fish and tadpoles. After the pupae transform into adults, most fireflies do not eat or drink, and often only eat dew, honeydew or pollen and nectar. In South America, a few species of fireflies can glow and prey on other types of fireflies or small light-attracting insects as food.

3. How to feed firefly larvae?

Firefly cubs are carnivorous, mainly eating snails, field snails and shells. Although firefly larvae are very small, they have a special trick to catch snails. When the firefly cubs find a snail, they will first use their needles to prick the snail several times, mainly to give the snail an anesthetic. The firefly will spray a toxin to paralyze the snail, and then inject a digestive enzyme until the snail is turned into delicious gravy, and then call its companions to insert the syringe into the snail meat and suck out the gravy.

4. What are the conditions for breeding fireflies?

The feeding device can be a wire cage or a glass bottle, but be sure to leave ventilation holes. You can also use a transparent plastic box, but also be sure to leave ventilation holes. It is best to use iron gauze as a cover. This kind of insect will not fight or bite each other, so multiple insects can be raised together. You can put some young locust leaves or freshly picked grass in the bottle, and cover the bottle mouth with plastic gauze, iron gauze or gauze. It is advisable to maintain a certain humidity in the bottle. You can sprinkle a little water every day, and spray some water before feeding the young grass or locust leaves.

After fireflies transform into adults, most species of fireflies hardly eat or drink, and often only eat dew, honeydew or pollen and nectar. In South America, a few species of firefly adults will glow and prey on other types of fireflies or small phototactic insects as food.

Additional information:

Firefly habits:

1. Fireflies love to eat the body fluids of snails. You can catch 1-2 live snails every 2-3 days and put them in the feeder for them to eat. If the feeder is a glass bottle or a transparent plastic box, you can observe them eating snails.

2. If you raise 10 to 25 fireflies in a bottle, you only need to provide 1 snail each time. If you raise more than 25 fireflies, you can put 2 snails each time. Fireflies can generally be raised for 15 to 20 days, and if they are well raised, they can live for 1 month.

3. Firefly larvae are terrestrial species, so they should be covered with fine nets to prevent them from escaping; a vegetable garden can be planted to raise snails for the larvae to prey on. For aquatic species, artificial rivers can be built to allow the water to circulate, and it would be best if there were artificial waterfalls to increase the amount of oxygen dissolved naturally.