The horned beetle, also known as rhinoceros, elephant, or atlas beetle, is an impressive insect that belongs to the order Coleoptera. These beetles are herbivores but have an intimidating appearance because of the horn-like projection on their heads. These beetles belong to the family Scarabaeidae, with over 1000 species in North America alone.
Here, we delve into some fascinating facts about these creatures, covering their appearance, habitat, diet, life cycle, and their impact on ecosystems.
A male Hercules beetle, a type of rhinoceros beetle.
Appearance
These beetles are known to put their strength, and their horns, to use by quickly digging themselves into soil to escape danger. While these family members are diverse in size, their most distinguishing characteristics are their five segmented tarsi, oval bodies, and lamellate antennae. The horned beetle varies in color from green, black, and gray.
- Adults can grow up to six inches, making them some of the largest beetles in the world.
- Most Rhinoceros beetles are black, gray, or greenish in color, and some are covered in soft hairs.
- The male rhinoceros beetle proudly posts a long, intimidating horn on its head that curves up, and is used for mating ritual fights.
- Additional, shorter horns project out from his head.
- Females are smaller and do not have horns.
- The larvae or grubs are white with a red head and can grow to 4 inches long if appropriately nourished.
Habitat and Distribution
Horned beetles occur all over the world, except for Antarctica. In the United States, they’re found from Arizona to Nebraska and eastward.
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Diet
All rhinoceros beetles are herbivorous, feeding on fruit, nectar, and tree sap that they tap with their horns. Rhinoceros Bettle. Image credit: Creative Commons The male rhinoceros beetle is proudly posts a long, intimidating horn on its head that curves up, and is used for mating ritual fights. Additional, shorter horns project out from his head. Females are smaller and do not have horns. Females lay about 50 eggs, which hatch into larvae. Longevity varies among species, but a typical lifespan is one to two years, with much of that time spent in the larval stage. When disturbed, or before mating with a female rhinoceros beetles produce hissing squeaks. These sounds are not vocal, but produced when the beetle rubs its abdomen and wing covers together. This rhinoceros can fly short distances, although its heavy body makes for a bumpy and brief ride. Good thing, because although these insects are harmless, who’d want to have to dodge one flying through the air?
- The horned beetle is a herbivore, and adults’ diets consist of nectar, fruit, and sap.
- The larvae eat decaying plant matter.
- Adults of these species can lift objects 850 times their weight.
Life Cycle
To get to such a large size, horned beetles have to go through a long life cycle, which includes several stages of development. There always needs to be a proper place for egg laying.
For example, in areas with multiple male horned beetles, they will fight using their horns, and the victor gets the female. So, to mimic their natural habitats, the tank needs to contain at least 8 inches of compost or topsoil. Female horned beetles can lay up to 50 eggs at once, and they generally take 3 to 4 weeks to hatch. Once the eggs hatch, they are in their grub or larvae stage.
During the second stage, the grubs look like insect larvae or maggots. During the third stage, the larvae will burrow themselves into a chamber in the soil, where they experience their final molt. After the final molt, the beetle will stay in the chamber until its exoskeleton completely hardens.
Finally, after fully developing, the horned beetle emerges from its chamber. Upon emerging, horned beetles will immediately start breeding.
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The life cycle can be summarized in the following stages:
- Egg: Female horned beetles lay up to 50 eggs.
- Larva (Grub): Eggs hatch into larvae, which resemble maggots.
- Pupa: Larvae burrow into a chamber in the soil to pupate.
- Adult: The beetle emerges from the chamber after its exoskeleton hardens.
Impact on Ecosystems
Horned beetles mainly destroy coconut and oil palms. They do this by boring into the middle of the crown, injuring the young growing tissues. For example, they cut through the developing leaves as they create tunnels. This goes unnoticed until the leaves grow out and unfold.
To prevent these beetles from causing harm, any decaying logs should be chopped and burnt. These creatures will seek out and kill the larvae and any soil-inhabiting insects. You can buy them on a sponge, which you soak in water, place in a spray bottle and spray the infested area.
Other Interesting Facts
- When disturbed, or before mating with a female rhinoceros beetles produce hissing squeaks.
- These sounds are not vocal, but produced when the beetle rubs its abdomen and wing covers together.
- This rhinoceros can fly short distances, although its heavy body makes for a bumpy and brief ride.
BEETLE STRENGTH TEST: The Rhino Beetle Games (Round Two)
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