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As fun as it is to imagine cultivating your own Goliath beetle, this recipe is not for the faint of heart! Achieving success with these majestic creatures requires not just patience, but precise knowledge of their lifecycle, environment, and care needs. It’s a long and meticulous process, with the entire journey from egg to adult spanning nearly a year. From the careful management of their habitat to the specialized diet, maintaining a healthy goliath beetle is an art that requires dedication, specialized equipment, and expertise.

Given the complexity and the commitment required, this recipe is best left to professionals who have the resources and training to support it, such as those at a well-equipped zoo. Even better, Goliath beetles are native to the forests of Sub-Saharan Africa, where they play an important role in their ecosystem. The best place for these incredible creatures is in their natural habitat, where they contribute to biodiversity and thrive in their native environment.

It’s also important to note that Goliath beetles, like many species, are threatened in the wild, with their population declining due to habitat loss and over-collection for the pet trade. Many Goliath’s are captured in their natural habitat and sold to enthusiasts, which puts immense pressure on wild populations. This, coupled with habitat destruction, is a key factor contributing to their status as a vulnerable species.

So, while it’s fascinating to learn about their lifecycle and care, it’s essential to remember that these beetles are best appreciated in their natural surroundings or by professionals who can give them the proper care and attention they need. If you’re interested in Goliath beetles, consider supporting responsible conservation efforts instead or visiting them at a zoo where you can admire them in a safe, sustainable environment.

Goliath Beetle Recipe

Yield: 1 gorgeous adult Goliath beetle (lifespan ~9 months)

Prep Time: 7.5 months (2 weeks as an egg, 7 months as a growing larva)

Cook Time: 4 months as a pupa

Total Time: Just over a year of dedication, patience, and a dash of insect-rearing finesse

Ingredients

For the Base:

1. 1 USDA-APHIS-PPQ permit
2. 1 healthy breeding group of Goliath beetles
3. 1 gallon fermented flake soil (see recipe, pg. 287)
4. 4 gallons premium leaf compost (fresh from a well-maintained, turned leaf litter pile—see compost guide, pg. 146)

For the Perfect Pupation & Eclosion:

1. 22 quarts clay soil mixture (hand-harvested and processed, see pg. 332)
2. 1 quart additional fermented flake soil

For Growing the Ultimate Larvae:

1. 1,400 koi pellets
2. 14 gourmet cat treats
3. 14 high-protein dog treats
4. 14 pinkie mice
5. 7 mixed-meat meatballs (secret WOTI recipe—good luck replicating!)
6. 28 large, frozen, de-legged crickets

For the Adult Diet:

1. 108 hand-washed, pesticide-free bananas
2. 27 perfectly ripe mangoes
3. 27 sun-kissed papayas
4. 54 ears of fresh corn
5. 9 tablespoons of rich, high-quality maple syrup

For That Special Touch: 

1. A generous dose of patience
2. The essence of Michelle Griesinger’s blood, sweat, tears, and five years of meticulous research
3. A heaping shovel full of unwavering team support (especially for steps 3-15)

Materials Needed 

1. 1 Goliath beetle habitat (minimum 2’x2’x1’)
2. 1 USDA-APHIS-PPQ permitted rearing facility (preheated to 74-76°F, with a consistent 14/10 light cycle and 50-60% humidity)
3. Various containers for each life stage (see steps below)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your USDA-APHIS-PPQ permitted rearing facility to 74-76°F with a steady 14/10 light cycle. Set humidity to 50-60%.

Step 2: Start with an Egg 

Carefully collect one fresh Goliath beetle egg and place it in a 16oz deli cup filled 75% with fermented flake soil. Cover with a screen lid and wait 1 month.

Step 3: Nurture Your Larva

Once hatched, transfer the L1 larva to a 32oz deli cup, topping it off with more flake soil. Begin a carefully curated feeding schedule, alternating protein sources weekly.

Step 4-5: Growth & The Art of Waiting

Continue feeding and tending to your larva for about 6 months. Monitor daily for signs of “wandering” behavior—when your L3 larva roams in circles, piling up soil in the center like a tiny mountain. This signals it’s time for pupation!

Step 6: Transition to Pupation

Move your wandering L3 larva to a cozy 6-quart shoebox filled with 22 quarts of pupation/eclosion media (see pg. 332). Assign it a serial number, weigh it, and document all relevant details.

Step 7-11: The Long Nap

1. Wait 1 month, then check for pupation.
2. If a pupal cell has formed (2-5 inches long), carefully excavate and brush off excess soil.
3. Transfer the pupal cell to a 16-quart communal eclosion bin, placing up to 6 per bin.
4. Label each spot with dry erase marker & attach the ID card to track progress.
5. Wait 3 months (or up to 5) for your beetle to emerge!

Step 12-15: The Big Reveal

1. Once your beetle hatches, carefully excavate to find the correct pupal cell.
2. Record key measurements (pronotaum width, weight, and sex).
3. Take a glamour shot of your newly emerged beetle with its ID card and log it in the official Goliath beetle spreadsheet for longevity tracking.
4. Transfer your new beetle to its adult habitat and begin feeding per the adult diet schedule.
5. Mist twice daily for best results!

Serving Size Recommendations

This recipe yields just one Goliath beetle, but for best results, we suggest maintaining a thriving culture of 100-200 individuals across all life stages. While larval diets are portioned per beetle, adult beetles are social eaters—up to 10 can share the same feast before the diet needs doubling.

Bon appé-beetle!