Dubia research

[StlGreaser]

So I decided to start a long term Dubia research project. I am going to start with separating females when they look swollen and about to pop. This first part is going to be to see what the actual average production rate is of the females. After the females lay I will keep the female and her young in their own bin to grow. Each single female colony will receive a male to see how long the average is between clutches. Each single female colony will have different protein source to see if any food source helps them grow faster or produce faster. Like I said it is going to be a long term project so I will run it for at least 3 or 4 years. Hopefully I will be able to find out if females produce near the same sized clutches throughout their entire life span. What to feed for the fastest growing and the fastest production rates.

If anyone has any variables they would like me to test(with in reason) I will be happy to add them to the project.

The first female separated had a clutch of 37 nymphs on 08.18.2010 and placed a male with her on 08.20.2010

More results to follow when I receive them.

 

[Prodigyitachi]

oranges, Lemon, cat/dog food. Thanks

 

[wes]

Thank you for offering to share your research. I have quite a few variables I'm curious about, and maybe you can fit one in if you find it interesting.

1. What is the minimum percentage of protein required and is there a level that is too high?

2. Is there a difference in reproduction rates with the temps in the mid 80's F vs. low 90's F?

3. Is there an advantage to adding variety to a diet, maybe compared to a simple diet of ground dog food and water crystals?

4. Do oranges really make a difference? What about compared to any other fruit we know they are fond of, like grapes, pears, apples, watermelon, etc.? Can you give too much fruit (where they get too fat, possibly affecting reproduction)?

5. Is there a difference using fruit/vegetables instead of water crystals? (Water crystals would be used only for increasing humidity, not as a source of hydration.)

6. There seem to be two types of females in my bin. One has a longer and narrower abdomen, the other has a shorter, but more rounded abdomen. I even see the difference in shapes in the nymphs. It seems like the longer ones can get much bigger. Is there a difference in the production of the two?

7. I think you are covering this, but how often do they really have clutches and at what temp are you at?

Thanks again and good luck with your research.

 

[nair88]

this is awesome! i don't have any variables to add at this point, but i'll let you know if i think of any. i'm definitely interested to see how this all pans out.

 

[Grimleo]

Great idea, good luck. Will be watching to see what comes of it all.

 

[Sapphire]

This is an awesome idea. You should start a website or something to keep updates listed publicly each month or every couple weeks so we know how things are going.

 

[fallfromatree]

This is an awesome idea. You should start a website or something to keep updates listed publicly each month or every couple weeks so we know how things are going.

Agreed! I'd be very interested in seeing the data from these tests over time.

 

[supernik]

this is such a great idea! cant wait to see how it turns out *pulls up chair*

 

[techdave]

This is an awesome idea. You should start a website or something to keep updates listed publicly each month or every couple weeks so we know how things are going.

I can put the info on my site with a dedicated page if you want.

 

[fallfromatree]

This is an awesome idea. You should start a website or something to keep updates listed publicly each month or every couple weeks so we know how things are going.

I can put the info on my site with a dedicated page if you want.

That'd be awesome. An RSS feed would rock, but I won't get picky, too.

 

[StlGreaser]

Well one month in and I have collected clutches from 18 different females. So far the average clutch size has been 35 nymphs for me! A little higher than thought before. Still lots more to go. No variables in place yet, just trying to compile my control group first. More info to come!

 

[Paradon]

How about some veggies, fruits, and grain alone. Hmmm!

 

[EShell]

Thanks for doing this StlGreaser!!

 

[wes]

Well one month in and I have collected clutches from 18 different females. So far the average clutch size has been 35 nymphs for me! A little higher than thought before. Still lots more to go. No variables in place yet, just trying to compile my control group first. More info to come!

From what I've read, that does seem high for an average, but who's complaining? Do you think your method of picking them out when they are swollen has anything to do with the high numbers? In other words, the ones with the larger clutches would look more swollen and would be more likely to be picked.

 

[StlGreaser]

From what I've read, that does seem high for an average, but who's complaining? Do you think your method of picking them out when they are swollen has anything to do with the high numbers? In other words, the ones with the larger clutches would look more swollen and would be more likely to be picked.

Could be, I have some that I pulled while witnessed mating and some witnessed with egg sacks so I will see about them also soon. I also Have some smaller females in the isolation now. I am also going to grow the individual clutches out in isolation to see if the size of the adults has anything to do with the size of the nymphs. I have some very small adult females.