Found this in my crickets, What is it?

[Kristen]

I bought some medium crickets from a local pet store and there were these grub/caterpillar looking things in the cricket tub, and there is a beetle too.
Any ideas on what they are? If the pictures aren't good enough I can get more



Thank you!

[wesleybrouwer]

Dermestes ater.
Black larder beetle or incinerator beetle as you call them, could be another Dermestidae, but i'm not a bug guy
I had them with crickets as well, i'd pick them out, since i'm not sure what they will do to frogs.

[Kristen]

Thank you!

[kimix]

They are safe to feed in both the larva and beetle form. They are intentionally kept in the feeder insect tanks by many cricket and roach breeders to help clean up dead insects. These are also great for cleaning bones.

The larva are fuzzy so sometimes frogs will spit them out, but my geckos take them down with no problem. The adult beetles can fly so if you plan on keeping them around for cleanup keep that in mind.

[Kristen]

Thanks!
I'll give my gecko one of the larvae to try, hopefully she will like it

[toxxxickitten]

As mentioned, they are harmless. They are used as a cleaner crew to clean up crickets bins.

[Faith]

I'd seen these many times in the past in my chameleon's crickets, never knew what they were. Thanks for posting/sharing!

[Kristen]

Haha thats okay!
My gecko wouldn't take it though, not off the tongs or if it was just sitting there.

[Faith]

hah, I never tried with Camo. I was so worried it would hurt him (although now that I think back, I should have caught on that they were in there for a reason.) Creepy looking lil buggers though!

[Kristen]

It didnt move enough for my Willow.
Same! At first I thought it was some dangerous caterpillar but then I realised it didn't move like one. I just thought they must breed them as well and some got mixed in.

[Heatheranne]

I have a few in mine too. I like to think of them as my clean-up crew, lol!

[Faith]

Now I'll be looking for these little guys when I get crix for my toads At least I can tell the hubby not to let them go this time!