From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The giant Fijian long-horned beetle is known from the island of Viti Levu in Fiji, and is one of the largest living insect species, with specimens around 15 cm long, excluding legs, antennae, or jaws; judged by this standard, this is the second-longest of all known beetles, exceeded only by the South American Titanus giganteus. It is closely related to the Taveuni beetle, which is only marginally smaller. These beetles have powerful jaws, and should be handled with care when alive - they produce a loud and fearsome hissing noise when threatened by squeezing air out from under their elytra. Various websites and other resources incorrectly indicate that this species is extinct; it is not, though the forest habitat on its home island is somewhat limited, so the beetle is potentially quite vulnerable.
