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| Dynastinae | |
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Scarabaeiformia |
| Family: | Scarabaeidae |
| Subfamily: | Dynastinae MacLeay, 1819 |
| Tribes | |
See text[1] | |
Dynastinae orrhinoceros beetles are asubfamily of thescarab beetlefamily (Scarabaeidae). Other common names – some for particular groups of rhinoceros beetles – includeHercules beetles,unicorn beetles orhorn beetles. Over 1,500species and 225genera of rhinoceros beetles are known.[2]
Many rhinoceros beetles are well known for their unique shapes and large sizes. Some famous species are, for example, theAtlas beetle (Chalcosoma atlas),common rhinoceros beetle (Xylotrupes ulysses),elephant beetle (Megasoma elephas),European rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes nasicornis),Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules),Japanese rhinoceros beetle orkabutomushi (Allomyrina dichotoma),ox beetle (Strategus aloeus) and theEastern Hercules beetle (Dynastes tityus).
The Dynastinae are among the largest of beetles, reaching more than 15 centimetres (6 inches) in length, but are completely harmless to humans because they cannot bite or sting. Some species have been anecdotally claimed to lift up to 850 times their own weight.[3] An extinctEoceneOryctoantiquus borealis was the largest fossil scarabeid, with a length of 5 centimetres (2.0 in).[4] Some modernOryctini grew up to 7 cm (3 in).[4] Common names of the Dynastinae refer to the characteristic horns borne only by the males of most species in the group. Each has a horn on the head and another horn pointing forward from the center of the thorax. The horns are used in fighting other males during mating season, and for digging. The size of the horn is a good indicator of nutrition and physical health.[5]
The body of an adult rhinoceros beetle is covered by a thickexoskeleton. A pair of thick wings lie atop another set of membranous wings underneath, allowing the rhinoceros beetle to fly, although not very efficiently owing to its large size. Their best protection frompredators is their size and stature, also avoiding many due to beingnocturnal. When the sun is out, they hide under logs or in vegetation tocamouflage themselves from the few predators big enough to eat them. If rhinoceros beetles are disturbed, some can release very loud, hissing squeaks created by rubbing their abdomens against the ends of their wing covers.
These beetles'larval stages can be several years long. The larvae feed on rotten wood and the adults feed onnectar,plant sap, andfruit. First, the larvae hatch from eggs and later develop intopupae before they reachadulthood.
MaleJapanese rhinoceros beetles (Allomyrina dichotoma) fight to dominate sap sites. Males use their horns to pry rival males off the area, which also may give them the chance to mate with a female. In this and other species that defend mating sites, larger males with larger horns mate more frequently, as they win more contests. Small males often avoid larger males and exhibit alternative strategies to gain access to females.[6][7]
Some species, such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros), can become majorpests, e.g., in tree plantations.[8] Usually though, beetlepopulation densities are not as high as in some other pest insects, and they typically prefer food trees which are already sick or dying from some other cause. Some species' larvae, however, will attack healthy trees or evenroot vegetables, and when they occur in large numbers, can cause economically significant damage. The fungusMetarhizium majus is a proven biocontrol agent for beetle infestation in crops.[citation needed]
Rhinoceros beetles have become popular pets in parts ofAsia,[9] due to being relatively clean, easy to maintain, and safe to handle. Also in Asia, male beetles are used forgambling fights.[10] Since males naturally have the tendency to fight each other for the attention of females, they are the ones used for battle. To get the two male beetles to lock in combat, a female beetle is used, or a small noisemaker duplicating the female'smating call.
Entomologist Séverin Tchibozo suggests the larvae contain much moreprotein (40%) thanchicken (20%) andbeef (approximately 18%), and they could become aprotein source for a large human population.[11]
Dr. MinJun Kim, leading a team of engineers inNational Science Foundation-funded research, examined the function and aerodynamics ofAllomyrina dichotoma with the help of researchers inDrexel University's Mechanical Engineering Department and in collaboration withKonkuk University in South Korea. Rhinoceros beetles could play a big part in the next generation of aircraft design.[12]
Auth: Burmeister, 1847. all genera:
Auth: Laporte, 1840. Selected genera:
Auth: MacLeay, 1819. Selected genera:
Auth. Lacordaire, 1856; all genera from Madagascar:
_60_mm_Rhinoceros_Beetle_male_(7941206664).jpg)
Auth: Mulsant, 1842. Selected genera:
Auth. Endrödi, 1966; all genera:
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Auth: Mulsant, 1842. Selected genera:
Auth: Burmeister, 1847; selected genera:
ScienceDaily (Apr. 10, 2012) — Rhinoceros beetles could play a big part....
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