Pie dish beetles!

Pie dish beetles!

Pie-Dish Beetles: Easy, Arid & Awesome

Pie-dish beetles are tough little desert darklings that do great in simple, dry setups. They’re active, tidy, and low-maintenance—perfect if you want a display that’s interesting without the fuss. Here’s a clean, Canadian-friendly guide to get you set up right the first time.

Care at a glance

  • Difficulty: Beginner
  • Style: Arid/dry bioactive (good airflow)
  • Temp: ~22–27 °C (room temp is fine; avoid cold drafts)
  • Humidity: Low; keep things dry and well ventilated
  • Diet: Dry foods (see below) with the occasional fresh slice as a treat
  • Substrate: Firm, mostly dry base (see options below)

Enclosure & substrate

They like floor space more than height. Any escape-proof bin or terrarium with lots of ventilation works. Add flat stones, cork, and bark for hidey-holes and climbing.

Substrate options:

  • Arid Soil as your main base—packs nicely, stays dry, and lets them dig shallow scrapes.
  • Optional: a small “snack pocket” of Flake Soil under a hide for extra enrichment. Keep it to a small area so the enclosure overall stays dry.

Depth: 3–5 cm is plenty for most species labelled “pie-dish.” Tamp it down a bit so it’s firm underfoot.

Diet (simple & dry)

  • Staples: high-quality dry foods—mixed grains, fish flakes, bee pollen, crushed seeds, and dried leaf bits.
  • Protein boost (sparingly, 1–2×/week): a pinch of Pill Diet (Small) works great as a clean, balanced supplement.
  • Fresh treats: a tiny slice of carrot or apple once in a while. Remove leftovers within 24 hours to keep it fresh and dry.

Water & humidity

They’re desert beetles—keep things dry. You can offer hydration by:

  • Rotating fresh veg (tiny pieces) as above, or
  • Lightly misting one corner very occasionally and letting it dry completely between mists.

Avoid damp, closed setups—stale humidity is the fast track to mould.

Behaviour & handling

  • Mostly nocturnal, but you’ll see good daytime roaming with hides and a dry, warm room.
  • Gentle to observe; minimal handling keeps them stress-free and looking their best.

Cleaning & maintenance

  • Spot-clean dry food crumbs weekly; full refreshes are rare in a well-kept arid enclosure.
  • Swap decor occasionally to keep things interesting (they’ll explore new textures and smells).

Troubleshooting

  • Mould? Reduce fresh foods, add airflow, and remove any damp pockets.
  • Lethargic? Check temperatures (aim for low-to-mid 20s °C) and offer a tiny protein bump.
  • Climbing the corners? Often just exploring. Add more flat surfaces and hides.

Shop the gear in this guide

Questions about your setup? Pop into our Discord or message @incoginverts on Instagram—we’re happy to help.

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