COWPEA WEEVIL
(Callosobruchus maculatus)
These small beetles (ranging between 3 and 4mm) are useful for small mantids, frogs, geckoes, small chameleons, and other small herptiles. As their name would indicate the larvae develop inside cowpeas (black-eyed peas), taking between 2 weeks and 6 months depending on the temperature, before emerging as non-feeding adults which mate and lay their eggs on the surface of cowpeas.
To harvest your weevils for use simply remove the paper towel or cardboard present in the colony and shake it into a separate container for use. To start new cultures place fresh cowpeas (about 1.5 to 2 cups) in an appropriate container, add cowpeas from an active colony (1/4 to 1/2 cup), provide something for additional surface area (cardboard or paper towel), and keep them in a warm spot. There is no need to provide any additional source of food or moisture.
The OIF offers two options; starters and colonies. If you don't need feeders immediately then the starter is an excellent choice to use for beginning your own colonies. If you require feeders for use immediately then we recommend the colony option.
BEETLE - COWPEA WEEVIL
STARTERS are infested beans with cowpea weevils developing inside them. They may or may not have emerged beetles.
NEW COLONY are freshly prepped colonies which have both infested and fresh cowpeas. There may be a few cowpea weevils present but this is not guaranteed.
BOOMING COLONY - this is a colony which has cowpea weevils actively emerging and can be fed out of immediately. A small number of fresh cowpeas added but most will be infested currently or previously