| Megasoma | |
|---|---|
| Megasoma elephas, the elephant beetle | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Scarabaeidae |
| Genus: | Megasoma Kirby, 1825 |
| Type species | |
| Megasoma actaeon (Linnaeus, 1758) |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Megalosoma Burmeister 1847 |
|
Megasoma is a rhinoceros beetle genus. Commonly known as the Elephant Beetle, Megasoma species are found from the southern half of North America to most of South America.
Contents |
This genus is commonly known as being one of the largest group of beetle species on the planet. However, there are minute species of this genus as well. The largest ones can be up to 135 mm, while small ones like Megasoma punctulatus can be around 20 mm.
Many Megasoma species (Megasoma elephas, Megasoma thersites, Megasoma gyas, Megasoma cedrosa, Megasoma anubis, Megasoma occidentalis, Megasoma joergenseni, Megasoma vogti,) have thin microscopic hairs (setae) covering nearly their entire bodies, giving the appearance of being pale or orange.
Males of most species have large horns that they use to wrestle with other males. Females do not have horns.
Megasoma beetles usually drink tree sap or suck juice from fruit.
Megasoma are nocturnal and are attracted to lights. They usually stay in trees.