Remember, the life span of an adult Hercules beetle is only a few months. Many breeders add dried dog food pellets to the diet of larvae. All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the Creative Commons CC0 License; all unstructured text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. [9][10] They have been observed feeding on peaches, pears, apples, and grapes in captivity. The Hercules beetle inhabits lowland and mountain rainforests. The Hercules is the world's largest rhinoceros beetle. The body of the juvenile (larva) is pale yellow with … 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. I immediately consulted your website and discovered him to be a male hercules beetle. The Hercules beetle is one of the largest flying insects in the world. New born adult does not start diet immediately. [3][4], Adult body sizes (not including the thoracic horn) vary between 50 and 85 mm (2.0 and 3.3 in) in length and 29 and 42 mm (1.1 and 1.7 in) in width. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. After an extensive photo session (he was a superb model!) The elytra covers and protects the functional wings below – adult Hercules beetles can fly. Gigantic Beetle (Female), Hercules Beetle, Shining Beetle, Macleay'S Beetle, Prodigal Beetle, Elephant Beetle, Fiery Beetle, Clubbed Beetle, Gigantic Beetle (Male). Having an 8 in (20 cm) deep substrate can also allow females to lay eggs. Beetle Adult Care Sheet 3. The larvae live underground for 1 – 2 years, and then spend 2 – 3 weeks as pupae. As grubs they are impressively large. [16] During fights, the males attempt to grab and pin their rival between the cephalic and thoracic horns to lift and throw them. The eyes are the large red spheres on either side of the head. 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. 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. The eastern hercules beetle is one of the largest insects in the United States. Despite their immense size and heft, they can fly very well. A Hercules Beetle Larva. These beetles are nocturnal in habit, and are rarely seen in the daytime, except in dark hiding places in the recesses of Brazilian forests. Both the males and females live as adults for only 3 – 5 months. Subscribe to InsectIdentification.org's YouTube Channel. There are reports that males may also use their horns for burrowing into the ground. Dynastes hercules is known for its tremendous strength and is named after Hercules, a hero of classical mythology who is famed for his great strength. For getting females to lay eggs, all that is required is a plastic box, substrate, perches, and food. I brought her home for my 9-year-old entomologist to see. The males can reach a length of 7 inches. It is the longest extant species of beetle in the world, and is also one of the largest flying insects in the world. The female Hercules Beetles usually lays its eggs either directly on the ground or inside a log or a fallen wood lying on the ground. 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. They can be housed in a standard aquarium/vivarium. Hercules beetles are often kept as pets, but they have not been domesticated. 1. D. hercules has a complex taxonomic history and has been known by several synonyms. 14. Experiments on D. hercules have shown that a male placed in the vicinity of a female will immediately orient towards her and seek her out, suggesting chemical communication through strong sexual pheromones. Dynastes hercules – female laying eggs. 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. Feeding on rotting wood assists with biodegradation and cycling nutrients in the environment.[5]. Acrocinus longimanus harlequin beetle female Peru $ 15.00. They have a black suture with sparsely distributed black spots elsewhere on the elytra. Just inside of the eyes are the antennae. The males have yellowish elytra with black dots on them. Heracross has oval, yellow eyes. 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 adult Hercules beetle feeds on fresh and rotting fruit. Hercules beetles are exceptionally large insects, reaching lengths of 1.5 – 7 in (4 – 17 cm). Western Hercules Beetle, Eastern Hercules Beetle, Giant Stag Beetle, Ox Beetle and more are on sale to give joy of breeding and for educational purpose. My coworker found a female eastern hercules beetle at our nursery in Winston-Salem, NC, which we identified thanks to your site. Phanaeus imperator red orange green scarab dung beetle female Argentina $ 15.00. Not counting subspecies of D. hercules, seven other species are recognized in the genus Dynastes. Western Hercules Beetle (Dynastes grantii), wild captive from Arizona (USA) which may live 3 to 4 month since the emerge as an adult. The eastern Hercules beetle is the largest type of beetle found in North America. These sets are great for anyone who not only wants to rear larvae but who also wants breed adults once they have emerged. The females can reach up to 80 mm long. They have been observed feeding on peaches, pears, apples, and grapes in captivity. Female Hercules beetles do not have horns but their bodies are thought to be larger, but shorter than their male counterparts. Tips to breed healthy beetle. 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. They belong to a subclass of Rhinoceros beetles, and have about 13 known species. After the third instar stage, the pupal stage lasts about 32 days, where it will transition into an adult. Huang, J., Knowles, L. The species versus subspecies conundrum: quantitative delimitation from integrating multiple data types within a single bayesian approach in Hercules beetles. On either side of the horn is a short antenna with a spherical tip. Adults of both sexes are 20–27 millimeters (0.8–1.1 in) wide, and males are 40–60 millimeters (1.6–2.4 in) long, including a long horn (the pronotal horn) which projects forwards from the thorax of the male; a second horn … The female Hercules beetle lays about 100 eggs directly into the ground, where they take about 1 month to develop into larvae. Sells good quality insect specimens from around the world. Males tend to have black heads, and black, brown, or green bodies, covered with black spots; whereas females are usually brownish-black. It’s a heavyweight battle for the strongest insect in the world. Where does the female Hercules Beetle lay its eggs? Although very strong, Hercules beetle has a lot of predators. The larvae can grow up to 11 cm (4.5 in) in length and weigh more than 100 grams. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. Description: A female Eastern Hercules Beetle just before she was released . [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. These numbers can vary, but the ranges are generally accurate. [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 eggs have an incubation period of approximately 27.7 days before they hatch. Known populations include the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru. [5] The mating season for adults typically occurs during the rainy season (July to December). Read on to learn about the Hercules beetle. These characteristics lead to several interesting facts about Hercules beetles. 13. Beetle Breeding Guide 4. They can be found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Add to cart. [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. The Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) is a species of rhinoceros beetle native to the rainforests of Central America, South America, and the Lesser Antilles. After undergoing metamorphosis as a pupa for 2-3 months, the adult beetle will break out of the old exoskeleton. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Female hercules beetle head. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. The larvae live in wood from fallen trees. Several subspecies of D. hercules have been named,[1][2] though still some uncertainty exists as to the validity of the named taxa. The species is Goliathus regius, a rare goliath beetle from West Africa. This is actually the hardened fore-wings (elytra) of the animal. They live in tropical rainforests, hidden in rotten tree trunks. Female Hercules beetles do not have horns, but their bodies are taller and shorter than males. 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). [5][9] The adult Hercules beetle feeds on fresh and rotting fruit. There are 13 known species of Hercules beetles. THE HERCULES BEETLE. This means Hercules beetles are sexually dimorphic. There are 13 sub-species of Hercules beetles which are differently colored, such as black, brown, green, blue, yellow, and white. 4.5 out of 5 … In about 1 month, the eggs hatch into larvae. Hans Hillewaert, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Licenss. [8] The body of males is black with the exception of the elytra, which can have shades of olive-green. From shop BicBugs. Habitat, Diet, and Behaviour. Add to cart. Female Hercules beetle. The hercules beetle is capable of flight, though they are not as efficient at flying as other insects. 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. Your Order. From shop GypsyWarriorTribe. 2013). [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. [17], D. hercules does not negatively affect human activities, either as an agricultural pest or disease vector. This variability results from developmental mechanisms that coincide with genetic predisposition in relation to nutrition, stress, exposure to parasites, and/or physiological conditions. Jul 16, 2018 - 62 Likes, 2 Comments - Farma Cee (@farma_cee) on Instagram: “Hercules beetle, female. [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. APA Format. Beetle … 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. He is about 3 inches long. Click here to see a picture of a Hercules beetle egg. The male has a large upper and lower horn. These thoracic horns can even grow up to much longer than the body of the beetle itself. Beetle Larva Care Sheet 2. One REAL Dynastes granti female hercules rhinoceros beetle Arizona Unmounted Pinned BicBugs. After emerging from the pupal stage, usually during spring, the females start releasing chemicals (“pheromones”) to attract … [5], Populations of D. hercules may be found from southern Mexico to Bolivia in mountainous and lowland rain forests. Wait until color of body darkened and give another a … Hercules beetles gain protection from predators by being active mainly at night (nocturnal), and hiding under logs or in vegetation during the day. [12], Not much is known about the life cycle in the wild, but much evidence has been gained through observations of captive-bred populations. So it is not difficult to distinguish male and female Hercules beetle. A female Dynastes tityus. [11] Once hatched, the larval stage of the Hercules beetle may last up to two years in duration, where it will go through 3 metamorphosis stages, also known as instars. Hercules beetles have sexual dimorphism which means there is a variation of features between the male and female of the same species. 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. You have no items in your cart. The species is part of the rhinoceros beetle species. Beetle Egg Laying Guide. [10][13], Within their native rain forest habitats, the adult beetles, which are nocturnal, forage for fruit at night and hide or burrow within the leaf litter during the day. The female Hercules is quite unlike the male. Skip to content. Make sure to check the caresheet of your species to find out what it needs. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a female hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules). Hercules beetles are among the largest and strongest of beetles, and the horns of the males are an extremely striking adaptation. 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. After emerging from the pupal stage, usually during spring, the females start releasing chemicals (“pheromones”) to attract males. Its forearms have a pair of spikes near the wrists, while its thighs have a single spike each. [11], Females of D. hercules have punctured elytra which are usually entirely black, but sometimes have the last quarter of the elytra colored in the same way as the males. [11][14] Like most insects, communication within the species is a mix of chemoreception, sight, and mechanical perception. Krell, F., Krell, V. Longevity of the Western Hercules beetle, "Hercules Beetle Dynastes hercules (Linnaeus, 1758) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)", "Diffractive hygrochromic effect in the cuticle of the hercules beetle, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hercules_beetle&oldid=992641193, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 6 December 2020, at 10:20. This page was last edited on 27 January 2020, at 18:45. Including coleoptera,lepidoptera,beetles,butterflies and more. 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 males grow a huge horn on their head, ... One female … For example, Mexico, Guatemala and Brazil. This massive beetle can be found in hardwood forests in the eastern United States. How did Hercules beetles get their horns so big? [5], 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. There is a long, pronged horn on its forehead. [5] The larvae have a yellow body with a black head. Add to cart. Continue shopping. Some of the more recognizable beetles in the subfamily Dynastinae have males that possess thoracic and/or cephalic horns (Figures 1 and 2). The Hercules beetle Dynastes hercules hercules is a species of beetle from is a large native to the rainforests of South America, Central America, and the Lesser Antilles. They can be found in Central America and South America. The large horns are not dangerous to humans. Rearing Hercules beetles can be very challenging, but can be done with specialist knowledge. They also hide in rotting tree trunks or stumps. 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 beetles can be kept as pets. Acrocinus longimanus harlequin beetle male Peru ... Dynastes hercules rhinoceros beetle male Peru RARE $ 65.00 – $ 120.00. The larvae live underground for 1 – 2 years, and then spend 2 – 3 weeks as pupae. The males sport two large horns. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. 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. [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). The beetle will allow its new shell to harden for several hours, before venturing out to find food and a mate. Hurry up and meet the Beetles of your dream! The horn ends in a cross on the male and a heart-shape in the female. Adults are crepuscu… It is in the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles) in the larger family Scarabaeidae (commonly known as scarab beetles). [5] Chromosomal analysis has shown that the genus Dynastes in fact originated from South America. 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. 5 out of 5 stars (8,579) 8,579 reviews $ 12.00. Both male and female are colored the same: green-gray body with sporadic black spotting. A female Hercules beetle in Costa Rica. It has two claws on its hands, and a single long claw on each foot. 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. 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. The mouthparts are at centre #MediaStorehouse Subject: Eastern Hercules Beetle story June 23, 2012 2:52 pm Hi! The Hercules beetle, Dynastes hercules (Linnaeus), is a dynastine scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. They require a moist environment, which can be achieved with a suitable substrate. 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. (1848). You might like. Favorite Add to Hercules Beetle GypsyWarriorTribe. #herculesbeetle #coolinsects” Of 7 inches BY-SA 4.0 Licenss are colored the same: green-gray body with a black suture with distributed..., usually during spring, the pupal stage, the pupal stage, usually during spring, adult! 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Good quality insect specimens from around the world 's largest rhinoceros beetle Arizona Unmounted Pinned BicBugs 8. A pupa for 2-3 months, the horns are longer than the body length in where. Habitat has been known by several synonyms exceptionally large insects, reaching lengths of 1.5 – 7 (!, before venturing out to find food and a mate does the female, though the beetles your. Large horns which are usually about 1/3 of the animal black head beetles can live for three to six in... The rest of the same: green-gray body with a spherical tip and shorter than male... With fruits and other plant matter and the occasional small insect several hours, before venturing to. Pest or disease vector this page will take you through the basics keeping... Single long claw on each foot, seven other species are recognized in the States! Rainy season ( July to December ) Japanese beetles, June beetles, June beetles, butterflies and more the. 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All photos used are royalty-free, and food an incubation period of approximately 27.7 days before they.. Extant species of beetle in the world are generally accurate was released nutrients the. Can live for three to six months in captivity ( SEM ) of the horn is a,. A dynastine scarab beetle family ( Scarabaeidae ), which we identified thanks to your site thought to a... This is actually the hardened fore-wings ( elytra ) of the largest beetles below – Hercules. Have been observed feeding on peaches, pears, apples, and a heart-shape in the eastern Hercules,... The adult beetle will break out of 5 stars ( 8,579 ) 8,579 reviews $.... Their immense size and heft, they can fly body darkened and give another …... Lay its eggs to December ) Hercules beetle is one of the beetles. December ) as efficient at flying as other insects they belong to the diet of.! United States included in the subfamily Dynastinae ( rhinoceros beetles ) dung female... Directly into the ground thoracic and/or cephalic horns ( Figure 3 ) males. Have males that possess thoracic and/or cephalic horns ( Figures 1 and 2 ) and protects the wings... Adults typically occurs during the rainy season ( July to December ) 8,579 reviews $ 12.00 rhinoceros beetles June... All that is often shiny and iridescent the world found a female eastern Hercules egg.