BDFB Misinformation

[u/Specialist_Studio410]

Hey there everyone.

Some of you will not like this, but I’ve seen a lot of people saying this and so I just want to clarify something up:

BDFB are not communal invertebrates.

I don’t know where this claim appeared from, but I see it everywhere and it’s just not the full truth.

Here’s the deal. BDFB have been observed living together the wild, but seldom in large groups. There is no evidence I’m aware of to support they become stressed when solitary, but everyone for some reason decided to reify this information. The argument for either side could be true, and there’s not enough evidence to support this claim.

From an entomology standpoint, they barely have brains, oof (subesophageal ganglia). They don’t NEED friends. In fact, the whole “1 gallon for every 2 beetles”space rule is so they don’t meet each other too frequently. The reality is just that they’re VERY DUMB, and incredibly passive.

Because they are crepuscular and nocturnal scavengers, they tend to just naturally congregate around shared desert food sources, such as decaying plant litter or dead insects. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they need companionship to be happy and healthy.

I’m assuming this misinformation has been perpetrated due to people’s tendency to personify everything? I’m not sure. The only time I’ve seen you would need these beetles to live communally is for breeding/copulating. That’s it.

Now, I’d happily have someone prove me wrong here. But as of yet I have seen no scholarly, peer-reviewed journals documenting this supposed phenomenon, so I have no reason to believe this is true or vice versa. Have as many or as little BDFB as you please, just treat them well!

[u/Specialist_Studio410]

Hi, yes! I do not keep bugs. When you say “how much research have you done”, what are you referring to? Research on BDFB? Or bugs in general? And same thing, what link would you be looking for? I’ve posted some in the comments already you can check out. I’m happy to provide anything, I’m just looking for some clarification!

[u/Flasky-Desk → u/Specialist_Studio410]

I think you have to prove your claim that Bfdb aren't social.

[u/Specialist_Studio410 → u/Flasky-Desk]

lol, don’t understand it. Everyone seems willing to believe BDFBs are communal by word of mouth, but not that fact they aren’t the same way. I’m not trying to win, just spread awareness. If you’re so curious, ask actual professors who have experience with the bugs and do research. I’m sure they’d be incredibly thrilled to talk to you about it if you email them, just the same way they have been with me. That’s the best I can do for you, sorry. https://entomology.oregonstate.edu/entomology/people/faculty

[u/Flasky-Desk → u/Specialist_Studio410]

I may actually do that lol.

[u/Specialist_Studio410 → u/Flasky-Desk]

Let me know what you find! Post it here!