Any gecko/ beetle experts?

[SilverDragonfly1]

I know it's an odd combo...

My son has two geckos- crested I think? Unfortunately I went to spray them this morning as he's away with work, and the female was lying dead on the floor of the viv :( The other is male but they're not old enough to breed- both about a year.

The reason I mention beetles is that the day he went away he found some in the viv that had appeared from nowhere. They were about a cm long, bright reddish brown lozenge shape, with black 'shoulders' and a little pointed head. I'm thinking maybe the female ate one and either they're poisonous or she choked as they were sort of rectangular and presumably hard. We did get rid of the 2 we found, but there may have been others hiding. Unfortunately as it was 1/2 hour before he had to leave for Birmingham, major clean ups weren't really an option.

All the branches in the tank are about a year old, so the only new things introduced recently are bark chippings (first lot of a new bag) and locusts (all eaten now). So maybe there were eggs or larvae in one of those?

I've cleaned out the spare viv and put the survivor in there, with no bark just in case and some thoroughly cleaned and checked plastic foliage.

Anyway, I suppose my question is whether anyone can identify the bugs or suggest any other ways I can ensure gecko 2 stays well. He is bright eyed and lively at the moment!

[EauRouge]

I don't know about IDing them, it would be tough without a photo. A lot of them look quite similar too so you'd need a real beetle geek.

I do know that the larva can take a really long time to develop into adults- I think some can even take over a year, so they could have come in with the bark chippings. I'd replace the chippings, then you can be sure that any larva or pupa have gone. Where did you get them from?

Sorry about your gecko :(

[SilverDragonfly1]

He got them from a reptile shop, they're in sealed bags with a brand name on. Not sure which shop though- although I think they're nice looking animals I don't take much interest! It's very handy to know that about the larvae, thanks. I do have a cpl of photographs but they're not very clear, you can only make out the colour and overall shape really.

I had a panic after the event that I'd mistaken deep hibernation or something for death, but googling reassures me that she was definitely gone.

[AwayWithTheFaries]

Hi there is a Facebook page called crested geckos UK there will be someone on there who I'm sure will be able to give you some answers