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| Rhinoceros beetle | ||||||||||||
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 Three stages from larva to adult'
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6-8, see text |
The rhinoceros beetles or rhino beetle are a subfamily (Dynastinae) of beetles in the family of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae). They are among the largest of beetles, and their common name refers to the characteristic horns borne by the males of most species in the group. The male beetles use their horns in mating battles against other males.
Their larval stage is long, several years in some species. The larvae feed on rotten wood while the adults feed on nectar, plant sap and fruit. Rhinoceros beetle larvae are sometimes fried and eaten as a bush delicacy. Rhinoceros beetles are popular children's pets in Asia. They are clean, easy to maintain, and safe to handle. In Asian countries, male beetles are also used for gambling fights since they naturally compete for female beetles with the winner knocking the other off a log.
Rhinoceros beetles are also the strongest animals on the planet in relation to their own size. They can lift up to 850 times their own weight.[1] To put this into perspective, if a human of average height and weight had the strength of the rhinoceros beetle, it would likely be able to lift a 65 ton object (e.g. an M1 Abrams tank).
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Systematics and selected taxa
Well-known species of rhino beetles include the Atlas Beetle (Chalcosoma atlas), Elephant Beetle (Megasoma elephas), European Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes nasicornis), Hercules Beetle (Dynastes hercules), Ox Beetle (Strategus aloeus), and the Unicorn Beetle (Dynastes tityus).
The rhino beetle tribes with some selected genera are:
Agaocephalini
Cyclocephalini
Dynastini
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- Allomyrina Arrow, 1911
- Chalcosoma (including Atlantase)
- Dynastes (including Satanix)
- Eupatorus Burmeister, 1847
- Golofa
- Megasoma Kirby, 1825
- Pachyoryctes Arrow, 1908
- Xylotrupes Hope, 1837
- Goldsterus
Oryctini
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- Coelosis Hope, 1837
- Heterogomphus Burmeister, 1847
- Megaceras Hope, 1837
- Oryctes Illiger, 1798
- Strategus Hope, 1837
- Trichogomphus Burmeister, 1847
Oryctoderini
Pentodontini
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- Bothynus Hope, 1837
Phileurini
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- Homophileurus Kolbe, 1910
- Phileurus Latreille, 1807
- incertae sedis
- Pericoptus Burmeister, 1847
