Gibbium aequinoctiale

Care for these is exactly the same as the care I listed for the Hooded Spider Beetles (Mezium affine) below; substrate of rolled oats topped with dog food and fish flakes, shelter material like crumpled paper, egg crates, dried gourds with holes drilled, etc. Room temp or slightly warmer works great, something like 72–82°F. Very dry tolerant, but they do need occasional moisture. Either toss in some carrot slices once a week or so or give them a super light/fast mist once a week, just enough to give them some water droplets to drink but not enough to mold your oats and dog food substrate. These guys, just like Mezium affine, will tunnel into the dog food and oats using them as both a food source and shelter. These are a fun addition to an odd collection because of their attractive red coloration.

Related care: Mezium affine.

Mezium affine

Could there be anything easier to culture than spider beetles? The answer is a resounding “no!” Simply put them in any ole container, add about an inch or two of rolled oats as a base substrate, top with dry dog food and fish flakes, toss in some shelter material like egg crate, crumpled up paper, or what I like to use is dried gourds with holes drilled in them (bonus if you leave the dry pulp and seeds inside the gourds) and call it a day! They like it dry and only need moisture every other week or so in the form of some carrot slices or a very very light/quick mist that’s just enough to give them some water droplets to drink but not enough to mold your oats and dog food substrate. Room temperature works just fine, but I find they do like it slightly warmer, so I try to keep mine at around 72–82°F or so.