Rhinoceros Beetles
Subfamily: Dynastinae
Status: Not Listed
Classification: Invertebrate
Description
Rhinoceros beetles are herbivorous insects named for the horn-like projections on and around the males' heads. Most are black, gray, or greenish in color, and some are covered in soft hairs. Another name given to some of these insects is the Hercules beetle, because they possess a strength of Herculean proportion. Adults of some species can lift objects 30 times their own weight without sacrificing any speed (that would be equivalent to a human having no problem carrying an adult male white rhinoceros). Some can even lift up to 100 times their own weight, though they have trouble moving at that point. Male beetles use this extreme strength to fight off other males and win the right to mate with females. Rhinoceros beetles can grow up to six inches (15 centimeters), making them some of the largest beetles in the world.
Range
Rhinoceros beetles are found on every continent except Antarctica. In the United States, they live in the south from Arizona northeast to Nebraska and eastward. Leaf litter, plants, and fallen logs provide a safe hideout for rhinoceros beetles during the day.
Diet
All rhinoceros beetles are herbivorous. The adults feed on fruit, nectar, and sap. The larvae eat decaying plant matter.
Life History
The horns of the male rhinoceros beetle are used to drive other males away from a female beetle during mating rituals. Females lay about 50 eggs, which hatch into larvae. After several molts, they eventually reach adult size and form. Longevity varies among species, but a typical lifespan is one to two years. Much of this may be spent in the larval stage.
Conservation
The beetles' population status probably varies among species. Rhinoceros beetles are collected as pets, and in some Asian countries, gamblers place bets on which of two male beetles will knock the other off a log.
Fun Fact
When disturbed, rhinoceros beetles can produce hissing squeaks. These aren’t actually vocal noises—instead, they’re produced when the beetle rubs its abdomen and wing covers together.
Sources
Animal Corner
Encyclopedia Britannica
Evans, A. V. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.: New York, NY 2007.
National Geographic
San Diego Zoo
Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
University of Kentucky Entomology
