Mezium affine (Shiny Spider Beetle)

Mezium affine

(Shiny Spider Beetle)

Mezium affine begins life as a chubby, white larva. Eventually, they weave a silken pupal chamber where they metamorphose and emerge a quirky, 3 mm long beetle. With abnormally long antennae and a seemingly bipartite body, it's no wonder they're often confused for spiders. If the clever disguise doesn't work though, they have another trick up their sleeve - playing dead! Although rarely encountered, these can be minor household pests of stored grain products. Unlike most grain pests, however, they cannot fly, climb well, or move quickly, making them very easy to contain. Interestingly, their elytra seem to vary in color from black, to red, to a combination of both. Shiny Spider Beetles may be the easiest pet known to man, requiring zero maintenance for months or even years after being provided food and something to hide under.

Adult Size - Male (3 mm), Female (3 mm)

Climbing Ability - Adults can pseudoclimb

Flying Ability - None

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Enclosure

M. affine aren't large or crowding sensitive, so their enclosure doesn't need to be spacious. Adults lack true climbing abilities, but can scale minute imperfections in enclosure walls. Housing your colony in a sealing food storage container easily thwarts any escape attempts. A few pinholes can be poked in the lid for ventilation.

Ventilation level - Moderate

Hides - Necessary

Barrier/Secure Lid - Necessary

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Substrate

M.affine eat their substrate, so it must consist of their food.

Type - Dry, grain-based foods

Moisture level - Dry

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Food

M.affine is known to munch on a variety of organic materials, but things like dog food and oats work best in captivity.

Type - Dry, grain-based foods

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Temperature

M.affine can be kept into the low 60s, but grow and breed fastest at warmer temperatures. 

Range - 60 F to 90 F