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Post by tv on Jul 4, 2016 3:53:23 GMT -8
I had a quick question for all the more experienced folks out there who deal with beetles. I had a few extra Plusiotis / Chrysina that I was getting rid of on ebay. When I shipped it out, it looked like this:  But now the buyer has come back and said the female looks fine, but the male looks like this:  Has anyone seen this before. I definitely wouldn't have sent it to him if it looked like this (and it doesn't look like it in the picture). If it's something I missed, I would readily give him a new one, but I'm wondering if perhaps he exposed it to something like acetone that dried it out and cracked the shell. I would really appreciate any expertise in this area. Thanks. |
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Post by alandmor on Jul 5, 2016 7:11:28 GMT -8
Link to "after" photo is broken. Maybe need to re-post separately.
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Post by tv on Jul 5, 2016 17:09:19 GMT -8
Thanks for letting me know. Photo has been uploaded again.
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Post by trehopr1 on Jul 5, 2016 22:12:26 GMT -8
I am unsure myself tv as to what it is exactly which causes this phenomenon. However, I can say that over the years I have seen many chrysina (plusiotis) of varying species in collections as well as being sold on EBay; and this cracking issue seems to occur with these beetles at least 30 to 40 % of the time. I really don't think the buyer did anything on his part to accidentally alter the beetles appearance.
I don't know if these beetles you were selling were fresh caught and then quickly put into the cellophane wrapped packaging upon their death. But, I think the possibility exists that under such circumstances such packaging may seal in the moisture given off by the body of the freshly killed item --- and that then in some manner it affects the exoskeleton or cuticle in such a way as to cause "stress fractures". Perhaps the very much curved shape of the beetles pronotum and elytra only exacerbates the process within days.
Maybe, try letting the beetles dry out a few days before packaging OR try a different type of packaging for your chrysina using instead some cotton to support the body and a regular type lepi envelope which "breathes" better. These are only suggestions on my part but, there are always possibilities of success. Best of luck.
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Post by tv on Jul 6, 2016 3:54:24 GMT -8
I think that you're both right, it does look like cracking is a relatively common occurrence. My main issue is with the timing. These specimens are 2 years old and looked fine after shipping to me on a journey half way around the world, twice. I then shipped them the same way to someone here in the United States, they arrived fine. A month later for some reason, it looks like the specimen has a completely different texture.
I'm just trying to wrap my head around how it could be fine through all the journey it has taken (as are the specimens I still have), but end up completely trashed after a few weeks, even though it arrived safely with no sign of this behavior.
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Post by alandmor on Jul 22, 2016 11:05:18 GMT -8
It's something I've never seen before but as you surmised, not uncommon. From a collector friend in AZ:
"Yes—relatively common here in Phoenix in species from very humid areas once they are dried more than previously."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2016 20:48:23 GMT -8
The one time I had this happen was when I used my drying rack to dry the specimen. I'd say be very careful with any kind of heat. Both soften and dry in natural temps with natural humidity levels. This may not be THE answer, but my specimen was fine until I used even the mild heat of my drying rack......or.......my rack was not the cause, but all was a coincidence. I've softened and mounted many since wo the cracking happening and with these, I've steered clear of any heat what so ever. Just my thoughts.
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Post by tv on Jul 23, 2016 10:00:31 GMT -8
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input. Makes me feel a lot better.
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