![]() ![]() Adults will roam the forest floor in search of decaying fruit.ĭynastes hercules bleuzeni Silvestre and Dechambre, 1995ĭynastes hercules ecuatorianus Ohaus, 1913ĭynastes hercules hercules Linnaeus, 1753. After the larval period, transformation into a pupa, and molting, the beetle then emerges as an adult. Much of the life of the larva is spent tunneling through its primary food source of rotting wood. The larval stage of the Hercules beetle will last one to two years, with the larva growing up to 4.5 inches (110 mm) in length and weighing up to 120 grams. The Hercules beetle is said to be the strongest creature on earth for its size, able to carry 850 times its own body weight.Īs noted above, Hercules beetles are highly sexually dimorphic, with the females generally being larger-bodied but much shorter, as they lack horns entirely. Features of this species are the numerous small black spots on the elytra and the thick hairs on the underside of the thoracic horn. This adaptation is primarily used during fights with other males. This scarab beetle is most noted for its thoracic and cephalic horns, which can grow longer than the body of the beetle itself. One reason for this is that the development of the horns is allometric, as well as sexually dimorphic, and thus not strictly correlated to actual body size it is possible for a female to be much longer, measured from eyes to abdomen, than a male, yet be considered "smaller" simply due to the absence of horns.The Hercules beetles picks up the foe with his horns during fights, flies and slams it down breaking the foes head. However, if the horns are excluded, this species drops considerably farther down in the size rankings. It is the largest of the 6 species in the Dynastes genus, and one of the largest beetles known, being exceeded in length by only two other beetles in the family Cerambycidae, Macrodontia cervicornis (specimens of 170–175 mm are known) and Titanus giganteus (also up to 170–175 mm several 180+ mm specimens are reputed/alleged to exist). Their title is well deserved, with some (exceptionally rare) males reaching 6.75 inches (170 mm) in length. It is native to the rainforests of Central America, South America, and the Lesser Antilles (Clemson University). ![]() Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, TX.The Hercules beetle, Dynastes hercules, is the most famous and largest of the rhinoceros beetles. At worst, the larvae may eat rotten wooden fence posts. If you live outside of Texas, contact your local extension for management options.Įastern Hercules Beetles are not considered pests. Management If you live in the State of Texas, contact your local county agent or entomologist for management information. After mating, the females then burrow into the ground and lay eggs. Males use their horns as they fight to determine which will mate with the female. After the adults emerge, the females release a pheromone that attracts males for mating. A few weeks after pupation, the adult beetles emerge. The eggs hatch and the larvae live underground from six months to one year during which time they grow, molt and pupate underground. Life Cycleįemale beetles lay eggs in the soil when they are active during warm months. They have been observed feeding on the bark and sap of ash trees and on rotten fruit. They emerge in the summer and live above ground for 3-6 months. Adults emerge from the pupal stage, but stay underground during the winter. They produce large rectangular fecal pellets about. The larvae feed on rotten material (logs, stumps, dead leaves and rotten fruit). The larvae are large, white, C-shaped grubs. The western hercules beetle, Dynastes granti, is found in Arizona and Utah and Dynastes hyllus is found in Mexico, as far north as the state of Tamaulipas. These large beetles can be found across the southern U.S. It has been recorded as far north as Illinois and New York state. The eastern hercules beetle, Dynastes tityus, can be found in the eastern half of the U.S. Many have dark colored spots on the elytra. ![]() There are several subspecies some of which are colored differently. 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. Males use the horns to fight with other males as they compete for mating. On some, the horns are longer than the rest of the body. ![]() Males have large horns which are usually about 1/3 of the body length. The males can reach a length of 7 inches. The eastern hercules beetle is one of the largest insects in the United States. Photo Credit: Steve ThomasArticle author: Charles Allen Most recently reviewed by: Pat Porter (2018) Common Name(s): Eastern Hercules Beetle, Rhinoceros Beetle Description ![]()
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