Hercules beetle

Dynastes hercules · The Hercules beetle is a giant rhinoceros beetle that lives in the tropical forests of southern Mexico, Central America, South America and the Lesser Antilles.

Hercules beetle
Photo: © Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hercules beetle
Photo: © Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hercules beetle
Photo: Cangadoba, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderColeoptera
FamilyScarabaeidae
GenusDynastes
SpeciesDynastes hercules

Where it lives

Rainforests of Central and South America and the Lesser Antilles.

Fun facts

  • Counting its horn, a male Hercules beetle can reach up to 173 mm (7 in) long, making it the longest beetle species in the world.
  • Only male Hercules beetles have horns: a small one on the head and a much larger one on the pronotum.
  • The beetle's wing covers change color with humidity: olive-green or yellow when it is dry, darkening to black when it is very humid.
  • Hercules beetle larvae can grow up to 11 cm (4.5 in) long and weigh more than 100 grams.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).