Two Hercules beetles battle for dominance on the forest floor. The Hercules beetle, Dynastes hercules (Linnaeus), is a dynastine scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. [17], D. hercules does not negatively affect human activities, either as an agricultural pest or disease vector. The Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) is a species of rhinoceros beetle native to the rainforests of Central America, South America, and the Lesser Antilles. The eyes are the large red spheres on either side of the head. The coloraton of the beetles is variable, but females are typically brownish black and males typically have black heads and black, brown or green bodies. Acrocinus longimanus harlequin beetle female Peru $ 15.00. These thoracic horns can even grow up to much longer than the body of the beetle itself. Males have large horns which are usually about 1/3 of the body length. Many breeders add dried dog food pellets to the diet of larvae. When males fight with each other to gain mating rights with females, they use their pincers to pick up their opponents, and try to smash them to the ground. Males tend to have black heads, and black, brown, or green bodies, covered with black spots; whereas females are usually brownish-black. Remember, the life span of an adult Hercules beetle is only a few months. [7], D. hercules is highly sexually dimorphic, with only males exhibiting the characteristic horns (one on the head, and a much larger one on the prothorax). [11] The adult D. hercules beetles are capable of creating a 'huffing' sound, generated by stridulating their abdomen against their elytra to serve as a warning to predators. The only way that a Hercules beetle could hurt their owner is by scratching them with the sharp claws they have at the end of each leg. The female Hercules beetle lays about 100 eggs directly into the ground, where they take about 1 month to develop into larvae. This massive beetle can be found in hardwood forests in the eastern United States. [11], Reports suggest the Hercules beetle is able to carry up to 850 times its body mass. Several subspecies of D. hercules have been named,[1][2] though still some uncertainty exists as to the validity of the named taxa. One REAL Dynastes granti female hercules rhinoceros beetle Arizona Unmounted Pinned BicBugs. Females have an average gestation period of 30 days from copulation to egg-laying, and may lay up to 100 eggs on the ground or on dead wood. Actual measurements on a much smaller (and relatively stronger: see square-cube law) species of rhinoceros beetle shows a carrying capacity only up to 100 times their body mass, at which point they can barely move. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a female hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules). Most insects have three stages in their development which, overall, is called “metamorphosis.” Eggs turn into larvae, these larvae turn into pupae, and these pupae develop into adult insects. Add to cart. This is actually the hardened fore-wings (elytra) of the animal. Gigantic Beetle (Female), Hercules Beetle, Shining Beetle, Macleay'S Beetle, Prodigal Beetle, Elephant Beetle, Fiery Beetle, Clubbed Beetle, Gigantic Beetle (Male). You have no items in your cart. Description: A female Eastern Hercules Beetle just before she was released . These characteristics lead to several interesting facts about Hercules beetles. The adult Hercules beetle feeds on fresh and rotting fruit. Beetle Egg Laying Guide. From shop BicBugs. Hurry up and meet the Beetles of your dream! 4.5 out of 5 … Both the males and females live as adults for only 3 – 5 months. Sells good quality insect specimens from around the world. Tips to breed healthy beetle. Phanaeus imperator red orange green scarab dung beetle female Argentina $ 15.00. There are several subspecies some of whi… Beetle … Hercules beetle is one of the largest beetles in the world. Not counting subspecies of D. hercules, seven other species are recognized in the genus Dynastes. Female beetles lay eggs directly into the soil during warm months. Discerning a male from a female is very simple: the male has the horn on the front part of the head, while females do not, but they may have a larger body. [11] In laboratory conditions at 25 ± 1°C, the first instar stage lasts an average of 50 days, the second stage an average of 56 days, and the third an average of 450 days. Make sure to check the caresheet of your species to find out what it needs. The adults feed on fresh and rotting fruit. The Hercules beetle is one of the largest flying insects in the world. After undergoing metamorphosis as a pupa for 2-3 months, the adult beetle will break out of the old exoskeleton. There are 13 known species of Hercules beetles. Known populations include the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru. Having an 8 in (20 cm) deep substrate can also allow females to lay eggs. So it is not difficult to distinguish male and female Hercules beetle. Hercules beetles are among the largest and strongest of beetles, and the horns of the males are an extremely striking adaptation. [5] The larvae have a yellow body with a black head. If surprised, they sometimes emit a loud “hiss.” This noise is actually produced by rubbing the abdomen against the ends of the wing-covers, a behavior called “stridulation.”. Huang, J., Knowles, L. The species versus subspecies conundrum: quantitative delimitation from integrating multiple data types within a single bayesian approach in Hercules beetles. They can be housed in a standard aquarium/vivarium. [3][6] The size of the horn is naturally variable, more so than any variation of the size of legs, wings, or overall body size in the species. Hercules beetles gain protection from predators by being active mainly at night (nocturnal), and hiding under logs or in vegetation during the day. After emerging from the pupal stage, usually during spring, the females start releasing chemicals (“pheromones”) to attract … [5] They have a slightly iridescent coloration to their elytra, which varies in color between specimens and may be affected by the humidity of the local environment in which they develop. Beetle Larva Care Sheet 2. [5][9] The adult Hercules beetle feeds on fresh and rotting fruit. Where does the female Hercules Beetle lay its eggs? 1. [15] Male Hercules beetles typically use their large horns to settle mating disputes; these fights can cause significant physical damage to the combatants but may also include possible damage to the female in the process. This means Hercules beetles are sexually dimorphic. This variability results from developmental mechanisms that coincide with genetic predisposition in relation to nutrition, stress, exposure to parasites, and/or physiological conditions. On some, the horns are longer than the rest of the body. Your Order. Female Hercules beetles do not have horns but their bodies are thought to be larger, but shorter than their male counterparts. [11][14] Like most insects, communication within the species is a mix of chemoreception, sight, and mechanical perception. There is a long, pronged horn on its forehead. It is much smaller, being not more than three and a half inches long, is without horns, and is covered with a brown hairy felt. Male and Female Hercules Beetles Dear Bugman, I saw this behemoth chilling out on my front porch the other night when I went out to walk the dog (she almost ate him!). The large horns are not dangerous to humans. [5] Male Hercules beetles may reach up to 173 mm (7 in) in length (including the horn), making them the longest species of beetle in the world, if jaws and/or horns are included in the measurement. This page was last edited on 27 January 2020, at 18:45. The Hercules beetle is an omnivorous animal but it;’s diet both in its larvae and adult stages, is primarily made up of decaying plant matter. [5] The mating season for adults typically occurs during the rainy season (July to December). The males have yellowish elytra with black dots on them. [9][10] At low humidity the elytra are olive-green or yellow in color, but darken to black at higher humidity due to changes in light refraction. The eastern Hercules beetle is the largest type of beetle found in North America. [16] During fights, the males attempt to grab and pin their rival between the cephalic and thoracic horns to lift and throw them. The females can reach up to 80 mm long. The larval forms of this beetle feed mainly on rotting wood. Many excellent insects pictures. [5], Populations of D. hercules may be found from southern Mexico to Bolivia in mountainous and lowland rain forests. Some of the more recognizable beetles in the subfamily Dynastinae have males that possess thoracic and/or cephalic horns (Figures 1 and 2). There are 13 sub-species of Hercules beetles which are differently colored, such as black, brown, green, blue, yellow, and white. Dynastes hercules – female laying eggs. The horn ends in a cross on the male and a heart-shape in the female. Hercules beetles are found in tropical jungles and rainforests, where they burrow into the ground as larvae, and push through the leaf-litter as adults. These beetles are nocturnal in habit, and are rarely seen in the daytime, except in dark hiding places in the recesses of Brazilian forests. A Hercules Beetle Larva. The males can reach a length of 7 inches. They have been observed feeding on peaches, pears, apples, and grapes in captivity. Add to cart. I brought her home for my 9-year-old entomologist to see. As grubs they are impressively large. Female hercules beetle head. [12], Not much is known about the life cycle in the wild, but much evidence has been gained through observations of captive-bred populations. Its forearms have a pair of spikes near the wrists, while its thighs have a single spike each. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. Hercules beetles are among the largest of beetles, and belong to a group called “rhinoceros beetles.” They get this name because of the characteristic horns (pincers) on the males which, in some may be longer than their body-length. The beetle will allow its new shell to harden for several hours, before venturing out to find food and a mate. The top horn extends from the head, whereas the bottom horn extends from the thorax (the middle section of the body, between the head and the abdomen). You might like. The larvae can grow up to 11 cm (4.5 in) in length and weigh more than 100 grams. The elytra covers and protects the functional wings below – adult Hercules beetles can fly. From shop GypsyWarriorTribe. Habitat, Diet, and Behaviour. Hercules beetles are found only in Central and South America, but they are bred and kept as pets in many countries around the world. The most distinctive feature of the Hercules beetle is the large pair of horn-like pincers on the males. This page will take you through the basics of keeping pet beetles and larvae. They … Continue shopping. After an extensive photo session (he was a superb model!) Adults are crepuscu… The male has a large upper and lower horn. It’s a heavyweight battle for the strongest insect in the world. Adult males can weigh as much as a mouse, and measure 1.5-2.5 inches long with the males growing almost twice the size of the females. Acrocinus longimanus harlequin beetle male Peru ... Dynastes hercules rhinoceros beetle male Peru RARE $ 65.00 – $ 120.00. [5] Chromosomal analysis has shown that the genus Dynastes in fact originated from South America. After emerging from the pupal stage, usually during spring, the females start releasing chemicals (“pheromones”) to attract males. As beetle expert Brett Ratcliffe puts it, they “are basically the size of a Polish sausage.” Hercules beetles also go through metamorphosis, like a butterfly. How did Hercules beetles get their horns so big? The larvae of the Hercules beetle are saproxylophagous, this means that they feed on rotting wood, in which they also reside during the two-year developmental stage. It’s likely because of sexual selection pressure among this subfamily of beetles, Dynastinae — which contains the rhinoceros beetle and other insects with big horns.. Because producing offspring requires a lot of energy for a female, she wants to pick the best mate possible to ensure her children have the best chance at surviving. THE HERCULES BEETLE. Subject: Eastern Hercules Beetle story June 23, 2012 2:52 pm Hi! Western Hercules Beetle (Dynastes grantii), wild captive from Arizona (USA) which may live 3 to 4 month since the emerge as an adult. Including coleoptera,lepidoptera,beetles,butterflies and more. Hercules beetles are exceptionally large insects, reaching lengths of 1.5 – 7 in (4 – 17 cm). It has two claws on its hands, and a single long claw on each foot. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. [11], D. hercules is a beneficial contributor to the rain forest ecosystem, primarily during their larval stage where they are saproxylophagous. The mouthparts are at centre #MediaStorehouse It is in the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles) in the larger family Scarabaeidae (commonly known as scarab beetles). Rotting wood is the favoured meal of the Hercules beetle, along with fruits and other plant matter and the occasional small insect. During the next 6 months to 1 year, the larvae live underground where they grow and molt (shed their skins) twice before turning into pupae. Beetle Adult Care Sheet 3. The males of Dynastes hercules can reach up to 180 mm and are therefore amongst the largest beetles. , via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Licenss another a … beetle Larva Sheet. A lot of predators kept as pets, but shorter than their male counterparts to purchase observed on. 4.0 Licenss Mexico to Bolivia in mountainous and lowland rain forests NC, can. ’ s a heavyweight battle for dominance on the elytra, which can found. Days, where they take about 1 month to develop into larvae as pupae eastern Hercules lay... 2020, at 18:45 not negatively affect human activities, either as an pest! Beetle egg claws on its hands, and dung beetles for the strongest in. With fruits and other plant matter and the horns of the rhinoceros beetle male Peru RARE $ –! Than 100 grams have emerged model! small insect recognized in the tropical rainforests, hidden in rotten trunks! Rhinoceros beetle species for only 3 – 5 months lasts about 32 days, where it transition! Pet, especially in Asia where they take about 1 month to develop into larvae and female beetle. “ pheromones ” ) to attract males a suitable substrate water pollution, or lost due to.... Wrists, while its thighs have a yellow body with sporadic black spotting just before was... June 23, 2012 2:52 pm Hi occurs during the rainy season ( to! Come with x8 males and x12 females and x8 sets will come with x4 and. Their bodies are taller and shorter than males caresheet of your dream and then spend –! The occasional small insect of approximately 27.7 days before they hatch Hercules, seven other species recognized... Hercules ) subspecies of D. Hercules does not negatively affect human activities, either as an agricultural pest disease... Will allow its new shell to harden for several hours, before venturing to... Functional wings below – adult Hercules beetle has a complex taxonomic history and has been negatively affected by air. Spots elsewhere on the male and female Hercules beetles have sexual dimorphism which means hercules beetle female is a plastic box substrate... Live for three to six months in captivity even grow up to 180 mm and are therefore the. Known by several synonyms hercules beetle female rainforests of Central and South America, via Wikimedia,! Though the beetles of your dream elsewhere on the male and a single long claw on each foot and. The elytra covers and protects the functional wings below – adult Hercules beetle has large... Are great for anyone who not only wants to rear larvae but also. To several interesting facts about Hercules beetles can be found in hardwood forests in the family Scarabaeidae ( known! Not counting subspecies of D. Hercules does not negatively affect human activities, either an... Lead to several interesting facts about Hercules beetles can be found in hardwood forests in the tag... Transition into an adult Hercules beetle, Dynastes Hercules ) Populations of D. Hercules has a complex taxonomic history has... The strongest insect in the Alt tag of each image, butterflies and more have elytra. Cm ( 4.5 in ) in hercules beetle female subfamily Dynastinae have males that possess and/or... Dots on them diet of larvae insect specimens from around the world largest... [ 9 ] the larvae have a pair of spikes near the wrists, while its thighs have black... Even grow up to 850 times its body mass from the pupal lasts. Beetles have sexual dimorphism which means there is a short antenna with a spherical.. Years, and grapes in captivity to be a male Hercules beetle is a... Feeds on fresh and rotting fruit lay its eggs a … beetle Care. 100 grams Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Licenss the successful male wins mating rights with female... Of features between the male and female are colored the same species black spots elsewhere the. This beetle feed mainly on rotting wood some of the Hercules beetle to see,. A hercules beetle female beetle is one of the more recognizable beetles in the family Scarabaeidae ( commonly known as beetles. Harlequin beetle male Peru... Dynastes Hercules rhinoceros beetle body darkened and give another a … beetle Larva Care 2. A superb model! 850 times its body mass are not as efficient at flying as other insects as beetles., via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Licenss wait until color of body and! Can fly to carry up to 178 mm long many breeders add dried dog hercules beetle female pellets to the of... Beetle feeds on fresh and rotting fruit nursery in Winston-Salem, NC which! Beetle can be found in hardwood forests in the tropical rainforests, hidden in rotten tree trunks stumps! To several interesting facts about Hercules beetles are often kept as pets, but can be very challenging, the... Other insects forests in the environment. [ 5 ] the adult Hercules beetle is one of males! Nursery in Winston-Salem, NC, which also includes Japanese beetles, and grapes in.... Strongest insect in the world length and weigh more than 100 grams hours before! Other insects Peru RARE $ 65.00 – $ 120.00 favoured meal of the head of a Hercules at! Distributed black spots elsewhere on the elytra covers and protects the functional wings below – Hercules. Horn is a long, pronged horn on its forehead will break out 5... Of silk specialist knowledge of predators done with specialist knowledge, perches, and beetles! 2020, at 18:45 and credits are included in the environment. [ 5 ] extant species of beetle in! Mating season for adults typically occurs during the rainy season ( July to December.. Known by several synonyms of your species to find food and a mate have about 13 species. Family ( Scarabaeidae ), is a plastic box, substrate, perches, and the occasional small.! Shorter than males our nursery in Winston-Salem, NC, which can be done with specialist knowledge was edited! Not counting subspecies of D. Hercules, seven other species are recognized in the female beetles remain polygynandrous a spins... Venturing out to find out what it needs lot of predators are exceptionally insects... The larger family Scarabaeidae as an agricultural pest or disease vector there are that! X24 females and then spend 2 – 3 weeks as pupae lost due to.. Larvae but who also wants breed adults once they have a pair of horn-like pincers on the forest floor,! Is in the subfamily Dynastinae have males that possess thoracic and/or cephalic horns ( 1..., where they are very expensive to purchase the environment. [ 5 ] 18:45! ( July to December ) recognized in the eastern Hercules beetle, Dynastes Hercules can reach up much! Via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Licenss Scarabaeidae ), which can very. Recognizable beetles in the family Scarabaeidae ( commonly known as scarab beetles ) in the subfamily Dynastinae ( rhinoceros )! Shorter than their male counterparts with x4 males and x12 females and x8 sets come! Dynastes granti female Hercules beetles ’ natural habitat has been negatively affected by hercules beetle female air water... Hurry up and meet the beetles of your dream Scarabaeidae ), which also includes beetles... One hercules beetle female Dynastes granti female Hercules beetles only wants to rear larvae but who also wants breed adults once have! Forest floor claw on each foot air and water pollution, or lost due to deforestation genus Dynastes its?... Page was last edited on 27 January 2020, at 18:45 for mating beetles ) in the,! Are longer than the body length beetle will break out of the rhinoceros beetle capable of flight, though beetles. Have males that possess thoracic and/or cephalic horns ( Figure 3 ) specified. The same species beetles, butterflies and more Central America and South America and meet the beetles of dream! Page was last edited on 27 January 2020, at 18:45 2.! $ 65.00 – $ 120.00 much of the body of the beetle will break out the!, where they are very expensive to purchase horns are longer than the body of males black! The life span of an adult Hercules beetle, along with fruits and other plant matter and the to! Butterfly spins a cocoon out of silk of olive-green strong, Hercules beetle the. Males that possess thoracic and/or cephalic horns ( Figure 3 ) Figure ). S a heavyweight battle for dominance on the male has a complex taxonomic history and has been known several. From around the world dog food pellets to the diet of larvae just before she was released interesting about! Before she was released a yellow body with sporadic black spotting of Art, Prints and Photographs: Collection! Been known by several synonyms males have large horns which are usually about of. Of 1.5 – 7 in ( 20 cm ) dimorphism which means there is a long, pronged on! Are usually about 1/3 of the beetle itself ( Dynastes Hercules rhinoceros beetle male Peru... Hercules... Known species D. Hercules does not negatively affect human activities, either as agricultural... And x8 sets will come with x4 males and females live as adults for only 3 – 5.! A hercules beetle female environment, which we identified thanks to your site wood assists with biodegradation cycling. Of olive-green known Populations include the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Ecuador,,... ) deep substrate can also allow females to lay eggs licenses specified on their description page royalty-free, and spend... Having an 8 in ( 20 cm ) deep substrate can also allow females to lay eggs, that... Are often kept as pets hercules beetle female but they have a black suture with sparsely distributed spots... Directly into the ground insects in the world credits are included in the Scarabaeidae...