How to Breed Bean Beetles

Bean beetles make an excellent food source for small lizards and frogs. They are easy to breed and do not require any special foods or specific care. In fact, as long as you continue to supply beans, they will practically raise themselves. The adults lay eggs on the beans, then larva burrow into the beans from inside the egg. Within a few weeks, the larva emerge as adults to start the cycle over.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic container with lid
  • Scissors
  • Window screen
  • Glue
  • Black-eyed peas or mung beans
  • Starter culture
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a hole in the lid of a plastic container using scissors.

    • 2

      Cut a piece of window screen slightly larger than the hole.

    • 3

      Glue the screen to the inside of the lid, covering the hole.

    • 4

      Add a handful of black-eyed peas to the bottom of the container.

    • 5

      Add infested peas and beetles from your starter culture to the container. Put the lid on the container.

    • 6

      Keep the culture above 77 degrees Fahrenheit for the fastest production. The beetles will lay eggs on the beans, then die after 10 to 14 days.