![]() ![]() ![]() Interesting Insights from the Hercules Beetle! The Western Hercules Beetle occupies areas of western North America and has become much more adapted to dry climates. Likewise, the Western Hercules Beetle is also slightly smaller than the South American Hercules Beetle. Western Hercules Beetle – Dynastes grantii Instead of tropical species, these beetles have adapted to deciduous trees in more temperate regions. Slightly smaller than the Hercules Beetle, the Eastern Hercules Beetle is native to the Eastern parts of North America. Larvae from this species can fill a person’s hand and can weigh nearly a pound! While the adult beetles lose some weight as they undergo metamorphosis, they can still be nearly 4-inches long and can apply nearlyĮastern Hercules Beetle – Dynastes tityus The Hercules Beetle is the largest of the Dynastes species. Since the larvae eat rotting trees, this makes a perfect place for Hercules beetles. It is typically found in tropical rain forests with high numbers of woody trees. This species of Hercules beetle is native to South and Central America. There are several different species of Hercules Beetle, each with slightly different characteristics: Species of Hercules Beetle She will gestate for about a month before she lays up to 100 eggs near a fresh source of rotting wood. This ends the fight much quicker and allows the successful male to mate with the female. One theory is that because Hercules beetles often fight on tree branches, the first male to be picked up is often dropped off the branch. In the wild, these fights may be settled faster. In captivity, this often results in males lifting and slamming each other into the ground until one gets tired. The two males engage in battle by trying to lift each other. Males are attracted chemically and audibly to the females, often drawing more than one male. The males use these large horns to fight each other. Growing up to nearly 3.5 inches, the main Hercules beetle is one of the largest beetle species in the world! Hercules beetles can also be distinguished by their large size. Other rhinoceros beetles either have a single horn on their head, or 3+ horns protruding from different areas of the exoskeleton. Plus, they can easily be distinguished by the large “pincer” shape of their two horns. The Hercules beetles – in the genus Dynastes – are much larger than other rhinoceros beetles. Hercules beetles are among the largest of the Rhinoceros Beetles – found in the subfamily Dynastinae. Tropical Rain Forest of South America, though some species have adapted to dryer habitats in North America Saproxylophagous (feeding on rotting wood) as larvae, herbivorous adultsģ4 months (about 18 months spent as larva 3 months as pupa) ![]()
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