Rearing of Asian Ground Beetle

Taxonomic Information

Insecta

Coleoptera

Carabidae

Mochtherus
tetraspilotus

Life Cyle

1. Life Cycle Stages

• Egg: The egg stage is the first in the Asian Ground beetle’s life cycle. These eggs
are typically ovular and can vary in color. In this stage, the eggs are stationary and
are often laid in a secure environment conductive to survival. Pre-ovipositional
period of 11 days and hatch into larvae within seven to 35 days.
• Larva/Nymph: Beetles undergo three to four larval stages (instars) before pupating
in the soil. Ground beetle larvae have well-developed legs, antennae, and a
flattened body, which enable them to forage actively, primarily beneath the soil
surface. The larvae are elongated, slightly flattened, cream to brown colored, and
slightly tapered at each end. The head bears sickle-shaped mandibles.
The larvae have three pairs of well-developed legs and can run quickly, unlike other
beetle larvae. Ground beetle larvae are predatory, feeding on other insects, insect
larvae, and pupae. They feed voraciously once they emerge from their eggs. Some
species specialize in feeding on certain types of prey. For example, species of the
genus Mochtherus have long setae (structures resembling hair or bristles) on their
antennae, which aid in catching small invertebrates such as collembola. The adult
emerges from the earthen cells to mate and disperse. An adult can live for two to
three years. The life cycle (egg to adult) of ground beetles requires a year.
• The pupa is an inactive, nonfeeding stage in the life cycle of ground beetles,
including the Mochtherus species. The pupa of the Mochtherus ground beetle likely
undergoes metamorphosis, transforming from the larval form into the adult beetle.
• Pupa (for holometabolous insects): Description of the pupal stage, duration, and
environmental conditions required for development.
• Adult: Morphological characteristics, lifespan, reproductive behavior, and dispersal
mechanisms.

2. Reproductive Data
• Mating Behavior: No specific information mentioned about the mating behavior or
courtship rituals for this insect. But in general, beetles quickly stroke its antennae
and its front pair of legs on the female's back while crawling on top of female
partner. If the female accepts the male, the male will insert its aedeagus into the
female's genital opening and transfer a package of sperm.
• Fertility: There is no specific information provided of how many eggs were laid by
Asian ground beetles. In general, female beetles typically produce one generation
of offspring each year and contains 30-600 offspring that’s hatch from the eggs as
larvae. Occasionally, abnormal temperature fluctuations may affect the number of
eggs laid per season. Not all eggs will be fertilized or viable, and some may die as
eggs or larvae due to disease, environmental events, predation, or developmental
errors.
• Developmental Times: On egg stage, development time decreases as temperature
increases approximately 22-28 degrees Celsius. In Larvae stage, Larval
development time is inversely related to temperature. The larvae of beetle’s
 complete development in 12-18 days at 22-28°C. Ground beetle larvae typically
go through three instars before pupating. Individual development can last up to
four years under harsh climates or adverse food conditions. Pupal development
time also decreases with increasing temperature. The pupal stage of beetles lasts
approximately 7-10 days at 22-28°C. Ground beetle adults emerge from pupal
chambers in the soil, undergo a maturation period, and can live for 1-4 years.
Females lay eggs in the soil to start the next generation. The adult lifespan and
reproductive capacity allow ground beetles to persist in the environment and
provide long-term pest control benefits.
3. Behavioral Data
• Feeding: Ground beetles are beneficial predators that feed on various pests such
as ants, aphids, caterpillars, maggots, slugs, and worms Types of food, feeding
behavior at each stage, and impact on host plants or prey.
• Activity Patterns: Most ground beetle species are primarily nocturnal, being most
active at night. They are often attracted to light sources at night. Nocturnal activity
allows ground beetles to avoid predators and take advantage of prey that is active
at night. Ground beetle activity increases as crop fields provide more vegetative
cover and food availability throughout the summer. They are typically most
abundant in late summer. In early spring, ground beetles are found in sheltered
areas such as field margins.
• Habitat Preferences: Ground beetles typically live and breed in the soil, under logs,
rocks, wood, leaves, and other debris, making them ground-dwelling insects.
Adults are generally active from April to October, with most species producing a
single new generation of adults once a year. After mating, female adults lay eggs
in the soil, initiating the next generation. Eggs develop into underground, six-
legged larvae that are either predators of insects or seeds. Larvae metamorphose
into pupae and then emerge from the soil as adults, completing the life cycle within
one season. Ground beetles are most active in late summer, with early spring
sightings in sheltered areas like field margins and increased activity in crop fields
during the summer months.

4. Environmental Data
• Temperature and Humidity: Ground beetle species have different moisture
preferences, and their emergence can be related to soil moisture levels during the
overwintering period.
• Photoperiod: many species being primarily nocturnal and active at night
• Seasonal Changes: Ground beetles exhibit adaptations to seasonal variations,
with activity levels increasing in response to changes in crop fields that provide
increased vegetative cover and food availability throughout the summer.
Adaptations to seasonal variations and overwintering strategies.
 Documentation

Stage/ Instar Actual Photo Description

Egg
1st Instar its active, black, and campodeiform body with
Larva a yellowish-red head capsule
2nd Instar
Larva
3rd Instar
Larva
4th Instar During the last instar, mature larvae will form a
Larva cell in the soil where they pupate.
5th Instar
Larva

Pupa

Adult ground beetles or Carabids are about 2-

6cm long, dark shiny brown to metallic black,
blue, green, purple, or multi-colored. They
Adult
vary in shapes, from elongated to heavy-
bodied, - tapered head end with threadlike
antennae, and have a ringed wing cover.

gg
1st Instar
Monarch 1st Instar Photo
Larva
2nd Instar
Monarch 2nd Instar Photo
Larva
3rd Instar
Monarch 3rd Instar Photo
Larva
4th Instar
Monarch 4th Instar Photo
Larva
5th Instar
Monarch 5th Instar Photo
Larva

Problems Encountered
The group has difficulty finding this insect due to several reasons. First, most of the ground
beetles are not native here in the Philippines; although there are some, they are hard to find.
The group found several beetles, but they're not what we seek. Second, the average size of a
ground beetle is 6-8 mm, depending on the species. Due to its tiny size, the group has a hard
time finding it and figuring out if it is a ground beetle. Third, the group can only find one insect;
because of this, the insect can’t produce its offspring because it doesn’t have a partner and
can’t breed or mate. Even if the group did research, the group still have the hard time on rearing
this insect.
Group 6

Auxtero, Althea
Enicuela, James
Jumamil, Bernadeth
Pagas, Kc
Reyes, Shela
Tabudlong, Lawrence Ivan