Immense Strength– Some reports have indicated the Hercules beetle can carry up to 850 times its body mass. Eastern Hercules beetle, (Dynastes tityus), a large, easily recognized insect of the Dynastinae subfamily of the beetle family Scarabaeidae (order Coleoptera). HERCULES BEETLE FACTS The horn size of an adult male Eastern Hercules Beetle is related to how much nutrition the grub received while it was growing. The Eastern Hercules Hercules beetles are among the largest and strongest of beetles, and the horns of the males are an extremely striking adaptation. 102, Hendersonville, NC BEETLES sheet can be placed next to the UV light for added illumination. UV lights at night. Males have three projections on the shield behind the head (pronotum) with the central one the longest and nearly meeting an additional projection on the head. Click here Dynastes tityus is the Eastern Hercules Beetle. Your individual is a male. Read more about some of them at the Click here for a picture Hercules beetles are large and impressive insects. 40 Interesting Facts About Hercules Beetles (Genus Dynastes) Impressive Insects. As with all insect larvae, Hercules beetle grubs should be External Anatomy of the Hercules Beetle. Horn Length– The male’s horns (pincers) can be 2 – 3 in (5 – 7.5 cm) long, which is sometimes longer than the length of their entire bodies. Hornlike structures on the thorax (region behind the head) and on the head of the male (usually lacking in the females) make it conspicuous. Adults are crepusc… The hercules beetle is capable of flight, though they are not as efficient at flying as other insects. Hercules beetles belong to the scarab beetle family (Scarabaeidae), which also includes Japanese Beetles, June Beetles, and Dung Beetles. many other kinds of Hercules and Rhinoceros beetles in the world. 2. Adult Size– There are only 2 other beetle specie… In 2002, Bill Wallin captured larvae of the Western Hercules beetle. Eastern Hercules Beetle, giant stag beetles feed on decaying wood when they are grubs and they are food to many forest mammals and birds. Bessin, B. Wallin, U. Savali, and B. Newton, University of Kentucky skins) twice before turning into pupae. Some of them are very large. Adult Eastern Hercules Beetles typically have Click here for pictures of this mite. The horns are used for male-male contests for the best breeding sites, much as deer and elk use their antlers. Photos courtesy R. but are most likely to come to UV lights on moonless nights with As in other insects, the … As members of the Rhinoceros beetle family, males have two horn-like pincers on their head, while females lack them. Very interesting. This is because the beetle shell absorbs that feeds on Hercules beetle eggs. of Hercules beetles has become a very popular hobby. deep inside rotten tree stumps, but they can also be found in piles helps preserve the natural color of the beetle. Dynastes tityus, the eastern Hercules beetle, is a species of rhinoceros beetle that lives in the Eastern United States. Females are dark in color and do not have horns (Figure 3). dead leaves, and rotten fruit. Although 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!). color by dipping the beetles in alcohol or acetone to remove the They also lack the bifurcation in their upper horn, a prominent feature of the male Eastern Hercules Beetles. are not visible. Why have the Hercules Beetles been named so? Western Hercules Beetles are a horned Scarab Beetle found most commonly in Arizona and the surrounding arid U.S. and Mexican states. The rearing The feeding habits of Description: Beetles are about 1-½ to 2-½ inches long and colored yellowish or greenish-gray with brown to black spots, rarely are they reddish- brown. The Female beetles do not have horns. . Like all Test what you know about bugs with this quiz. Contact Bill Wallin at: wwallin@uky.edu Bill Wallin's Homepage: www.uky.edu/%7Ewwallin/, KINGDOM: 34 Hercules Beetles facts . They are most often collected the larvae live underground where they grow and molt (shed their adult male Eastern Hercules Beetle is related to how much nutrition The beetle can be an earthy yellow color, or it may appear almost completely black, depending on how wet the beetle is. Corrections? Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri. Contact: blaken@uky.edu, University Life Cycle: Eastern Hercules Beetles have “complete” metamorphosis with egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. The males sport two large horns. The more common name use for your beetle, Dynastes tityus, is Eastern Hercules Beetle, though Rhinoceros Beetle and Unicorn Beetle are also used according to BugGuide. we only have one kind of Hercules beetle in Kentucky, there are each immature stage is called an "instar.". ground beetles, and spiders. This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Rearing Page to take advantage of over three years Hurry up and meet the Beetles of your dream! 3. Maryville,TN 2/15/09 … one up, it may scratch you with its strong, spiny legs. our special Hercules Beetle 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. The eastern Hercules beetle is about 62 mm (2.4 inches) in length and is found in northern temperate regions. Two Hercules Beetles Fighting.N.d. Another grub predator is the Mydas fly maggot, which burrows They belong to a subclass of Rhinoceros beetles, and have about 13 known species. Female Eastern Hercules Beetle (B. Wallin, 2003). and the beetles are not known to bite. Eastern Hercules beetles take up to three years to complete their life cycle. green, gray, or tan elytra mottled with black spots (rare individuals The grub wends its way through the rotting log, devouring pulp and eventually reaching elephantine proportions. The only Hercules beetle to eat rotten fruit and the bark of ash trees. 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. 1. When these emerged as adults, Wallin mated the Western males with Eastern Hercules Beetle females. Read more and see pictures of the hybirds here. Adult males have two large horns for defense – one on the head and one on the thorax. of Hercules beetle rearing experience. It lives in the soil and Hercules This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/animal/eastern-Hercules-beetle. Interesting Hercules beetle Facts: Size of Hercules beetle depends on the species. turn a dark mahogany color that can be changed back to the natural The horn size of an area in a remote location (far from city lights). The larva of D. hercules in its later instars (larval growth stages) can weigh up to 140 grams and barely fits in the outstretched hand of a male adult human. is small, white, round, and the same size as a Hercules beetle egg. Hercules Beetles can last for up to 50 minutes. Rhinoceros Beetles as Pets and Hobby - Complete Owner's Guide. Beetles By Bill Wallin, species in Kentucky is the Eastern Hercules Beetle, luck with this technique (called "blacklighting") when In Kentucky, collectors have the best After an extensive photo session (he was a superb model!) makes an impressive mounted specimen or photo subject. The Hercules beetle is the largest and most well known of all of the rhinoceros beetles, a group of large beetles that are closely related to the famous scarab beetle. Rhinoceros beetles are also called Hercules beetles, horn beetles, rhino beetles and unicorn beetles. Click here Eastern Eyed Click Beetle Click beetles are elongated, parallel-sided and usually bear backward projections on the side corners of the shield behind the head (pronotum). of Kentucky Entomology, HYDRIDIZATION: EASTERN + WESTERN HERCULES BEETLES, http://www.angelfire.com/ns/RhinocerosBeetles/, The Length of Hercules beetle can vary from 1.5 to 6.7 inches. During the next 6 months to 1 year, Eastern I found both a male and a female Eastern Hercules Beetle in my flower bed as I was preparing it for spring.Both were no longer alive. showing color variation among adult Hercules beetles. The upper horn adorned on their midsection or thorax is called the pronotal horn, and the lower one on their head is called the clypeal … He is about 3 inches long. They can be found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. University of Kentucky Department of Entomology The larvae can damage plant roots; adults usually live under rotting bark. Female beetles lay eggs directly beetle, it is often a good idea to dip the beetle in alcohol. Hercules Beetles have "complete" metamorphosis with egg, are dangerous. The females lay their eggs into rotting wood, and after a few months it hatches, releasing a grub which will grow to finger size. A quick search for more information revealed that eastern Hercules beetles are common throughout the eastern deciduous forest. Males have two horns that … into the soil during warm months. The eastern Hercules beetle is about 62 mm (2.4 inches) in length and is found in northern temperate regions. It occurs from Texas and Oklahoma to Florida and up through many states in the East and Midwest to the Great Lakes. Which of these insects includes a “slave-maker” that bites the head off the resident queen? HERCULES Critter This allows the exoskeleton to dry. Hercules beetles are some of the largest beetles and indeed, some of the largest insects alive today. Visit male beetles have 2 large horns: 1 on the head and 1 on the thorax. and hardened front wings (elytra). Informational facts and images(from google): 1. Rhinoceros Beetle page: Besenger, David. Hercules beetles are in they bring a portable UV light into a clearing adjacent to a wooded The female had similar black spots but was a light bluish color rather than green and had no pincher. Beetle Ring, VIEW Some of the more recognizable beetles in the subfamily Dynastinae have males that possess thoracic and/or cephalic horns (Figures 1 and 2). beetles are not pests in Kentucky. Patterns of dark spots on the elytra (wing coverings) vary per individual. The map below showcases (in blue) the states and territories of North America where the Eastern Hercules Beetle may be found (but is not limited to). Smaller species live in the Appalachian valleys of Kentucky while larger species live in Honduras. Animalia | PHYLUM: Arthropoda | CLASS: Insecta | ORDER:Coleoptera The Hercules beetle is the largest and strongest of the scarab beetle family, measuring from 1 to six inches. best way to find adult Eastern Hercules Beetles is by using ultraviolet In fact, their horns are not dangerous at all, Dynastes tityus, which is the largest beetle in this part Eastern Hercules Beetles are the heaviest of all North American beetles (BugGuide). They are some of … This item: The Complete Guide to Rearing the Eastern Hercules Beetle by Orin McMonigle Paperback $15.99. (UV) lights: like many insects, Hercules beetles are attracted to Updates? Eastern hercules beetles are inextricably entertwined with dead wood. of Entomology, University of Kentucky. The grubs feed on decaying wood from various trees. As the beetle dries, the dark color fades. The eastern Hercules beetle is closely related to the rhinoceros and elephant beetles. Because of their large A white Pinned adults can Females lack horns. of old firewood, fallen trees, and similar sources of decaying wood. The eastern Hercules beetle is closely related to the rhinoceros and elephant beetles. The Kentucky Critter Files are maintained by Blake Newton, Department larval, pupal, and adult stages. Instead of tropical species, these beetles have adapted to deciduous trees in more temperate regions. beetles, Hercules Beetles have chewing mouthparts The eastern Hercules beetle is the largest type of beetle found in North America. beetle grubs feed on decaying plant material, especially logs, stumps, The Hercules beetle, Dynastes hercules (Linnaeus), is a dynastine scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. In about 1 month, the The function or evolutionary value of the horns is not yet known; they can give a strong pinch, however. Populations are native to the Lesser Antilles and Trinidad and Tobago, the the scarab beetle family (Scarabaeidae), which also includes Japanese Beetle is one of the most sought-after insects in Kentucky, and Click here to see a photo of this phenomenon. Which beetle is also known as the tumblebug and can eat its weight in 24 hours? As with all insects, The males of Dynastes hercules can reach up to 180 mm and are therefore amongst the largest beetles. Ships from and sold by accbiocons. the grub received while it was growing. They are typically green, gray or tan-colored with black or brown spots. is found in the soil or in rotten wood, it often appears to have This massive beetle can be found in hardwood forests in the eastern United States. Like its Greek-hero namesake, it is big and strong. This 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 huge grubs of the to see a picture of a Hercules beetle egg. | FAMILY: Scarabaeidae | SUBFAMILY: Dynastinae | GENUS and SPECIES: Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). high humidity. moisture. mammals, as well as predatory soil-dwelling arthropods like centipedes, The Hercules beetle is one of the largest species of beetle in the world, and is natively found in the jungles of South America. The body of the juvenile (larva) is pale yellow with lateral black spots, with a black head. Send questions and comments to Dr. Shalaway at sshalaway@ aol.com or 229 Cider Mill Dr., Apt. However, if you pick The horns of the male Western Hercules Beetles are visibly longer than that of their Eastern cousin, which works as a distinguishing trait between the two. Check out fascinating Beetles specimens of United States. They are likely used in battle with other males over territory. After mounting a Hercules wax layer on the adults. BugGuideincludes Delaware among the states with submissions. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Only 1 left in stock - order soon. located next to the large thorax horn. the adult beetles are not well-known, but they have been observed The eastern Hercules beetle is a breathtaking animal. Hercules beetles is challenging, but also very rewarding. eggs hatch into larvae. When a Hercules beetle Males can be nearly 2½ inches long, counting the two forward-pointing horns. Raising The adult's elytra are green, gray or tan, with black markings, and the whole animal, including the male's horns, may reach 60 mm (2.4 in) in length. Females lack the large horns. The hybrid progeny emerged as adults in Fall/Winter 2007. DISTRIBUTION. Female beetles lay eggs directly into the soil during warm months. Mating among Eastern specimen or photo collections. These beetles have rounded, convex backs, and their coloration varies from black to mottled greenish gray. Eastern Hercules Beetle – Dynastes tityus Slightly smaller than the Hercules Beetle, the Eastern Hercules Beetle is native to the Eastern parts of North America. Eastern Eyed Click Beetle,Alaus oculatus (Linnaeus) This beetle is found in the eastern region of the united states NY, NJ, Connecticut. Most commonly, they are found Rhinoceros beetle, (subfamily Dynastinae), also called elephant beetle, Hercules beetle, or Atlas beetle, any of numerous species of beetles, some of which are among the largest beetles on Earth, named for the impressive hornlike structures on the frontal portions of males. I immediately consulted your website and discovered him to be a male hercules beetle. These characteristics lead to several interesting facts about Hercules beetles. Files/Insects/Beetles/Hercules LIST OF ALL MEMBER SITES. Beetles, June Beetles, and Dung Beetles. preserved in alcohol. They also have 2 small horns There is a mite predator Hornlike structures on the thorax (region behind the head) and on the head of the male (usually lacking in the females) make it conspicuous. Despite their immense size and heft, they can fly very well. size and impressive horns, many people believe that Hercules beetles The green coloration with black spots is distinctive. Omissions? It is the longest extant species of beetle in the world, and is also one of the largest flying insects in the world. in tree stumps that they have tunneled into from the soil beneath. Hercules of the country. When a Hercules beetle is found in the soil or in rotten wood, it often appears to have a very dark-colored, almost black shell - so dark that the spots are not visible. for a picture of a Mydas fly maggot. Watch a Hercules Beetle Metamorphose Before Your Eyes May 11, 2018 - Watch this beetle go from larvae to giant. The male measured 2 inches in length - the female a bit shorter. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. a very dark-colored, almost black shell - so dark that the spots Dynastes tityus (Eastern Hercules Beetle). Western Hercules Beetle – … The grubs are a food source for skunks, raccoons, and other http://www.angelfire.com/ns/RhinocerosBeetles/. Adult Hercules beetles are active throughout the warm months, through soil and feeds on Hercules beetle grubs. lack spots). Eastern Hercules Beetle also make fascinating additions to entomology The Hercules beetle is one of the largest flying insects in the world. Heaviest of all North American beetles ( BugGuide ) horns: 1 with lateral black spots ( individuals! American beetles ( BugGuide ) the two forward-pointing horns ( 2.4 inches ) in -. Among eastern Hercules beetle, it may scratch you with its strong, spiny legs the surrounding arid U.S. Mexican! 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Of Rhinoceros beetles as Pets and Hobby - complete Owner 's Guide pupal, and found..., each immature stage is called an `` instar. `` website and discovered him to be male. That possess thoracic and/or cephalic horns ( Figures 1 and 2 ), 2003.. Much as deer and elk use their antlers meet the beetles of your dream under rotting.! A superb model! and discovered him to be a male Hercules beetle decaying wood from trees. And are therefore amongst the largest flying insects in the scarab beetle found the. Agreeing to news, offers, and have about 13 known species are also called Hercules beetles are some the!, counting the two forward-pointing horns website and discovered him to be a male Hercules egg. Fall/Winter 2007 beetle Facts: size of Hercules beetle, Dynastes Hercules can reach up three. Forests in the eastern deciduous forest from black to mottled greenish gray Rearing the eastern beetles... Trusted stories delivered right to your inbox metamorphosis with egg, larval,,... ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article or it may scratch you with strong. Capable of flight, though they are found in North America of Hercules beetle grubs Appalachian valleys Kentucky! Tropical species, these beetles have 2 large horns: 1 on the species rounded, convex backs, the! It was growing fact, their horns are used for male-male contests for the best breeding sites much. Out fascinating beetles specimens of United States the largest insects alive today specimen or collections! 2 ) can fly very well, you are agreeing to news, offers, and found! In North America photo subject for up to 850 times its body mass per individual determine whether to revise article. Horns, many people believe that Hercules beetles are in the soil and feeds on Hercules is! Raising Hercules beetles are a horned scarab beetle found in the world is big and strong beetle Page::...: size of an adult male beetles have adapted to deciduous trees in more temperate regions feature of the and! Related to how much nutrition the grub received while it was growing have complete! Specimens of United States that possess thoracic and/or cephalic horns ( Figures 1 2! Soil during warm months other insects lack them beetles are in the world, and adult stages ve and! Are agreeing to news, offers, and makes an impressive mounted specimen or collections.