Rhinoceros beetle
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The rhinoceros beetles (or Rhino beetle) are a subfamily (Dynastinae) of beetles in the family of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae).
They are among the largest of beetles, so named because of the characteristic horns borne by the males of most species in the group. The male beetles use their horns in mating battles against other males.
Their larval stage is long, several years in some species. The larvae feed on rotten wood while the adults feed on nectar, plant sap and fruit.
Rhinoceros beetles are also the strongest animals on the planet, proportionally. They can lift up to 850 times their own weight.[1] To put this into perspective, if a human of average height and weight had the strength of the rhinoceros beetle, it would be able to lift a 65 ton object.
[edit] Classification
The rhinoceros beetles were formerly classified in the family Dynastidae, but are now considered a subgroup of the scarab beetles.
The subfamily includes the genera:
- Aegopsis
- Allomyrrhina
- Chalcosoma (Atlas beetle)
- Dynastes (Hercules beetle and Unicorn beetle)
- Eupatorus (Five-horned beetle)
- Golofa
- Golopha
- Heterogomphus
- Homophileurus
- Megacerna
- Megasoma (Elephant beetle)
- Oryctes
- Pachyorictes
- Phileurus (Triceratops beetle)
- Strategus (Ox beetle)
- Trichogomphus
- Xylotrupes (Princess beetle)
Rhinoceros beetles are popular children's pets in Asia. They are clean, easy to maintain, and safe to handle. In Asian countries, male beetles are also used for gambling fights since they naturally compete for female beetles with the winner knocking the other off a log.
