Atlas beetle

Atlas beetle
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Subfamily: Dynastinae
Genus: Chalcosoma
Species: C. atlas
Binomial name
Chalcosoma atlas
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The Atlas beetle (Chalcosoma atlas) is a species of beetle belonging to the Scarabaeidae family.

Description

Chalcosoma atlas, like other beetles of the genus Chalcosoma, is remarkable for its size, that can reach a length of about 25–60 millimetres (0.98–2.36 in) in the females. As common in some Scarabaeidae, the males are larger than the females, reaching a length of about 60–130 millimetres (2.4–5.1 in). The males have specialised horns on the head and thorax that they use to fight with each other to gain mating rights with females. The Atlas beetle differs from other Chalcosoma species (such as C. caucasus) in the end of the cephalic (head) horn of the Atlas, which is broadened.

Larvae

The larva of the Atlas beetle is known for its fierce behavior, including biting if touched. Unverified reports exist of larvae that live together fighting to the death if there's not enough space or food.

Distribution

This species can be found in southern Asia, especially Indonesia.

Parasitoids

The species is the host of a parasitoid, the giant scoliid wasp, Megascolia procer, which has a paralysing venom.[1]

Subspecies

References

  1. ↑ Piek, Tom (22 October 2013). Venoms of the Hymenoptera: Biochemical, Pharmacological and Behavioural Aspects. Elsevier. p. 173. ISBN 978-1-4832-6370-0.
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