Rhinoceros beetle

Rhinoceros beetle
	; Three stages from larva to adult'
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia;
Phylum:	Arthropoda;
Class:	Insecta;
Order:	Coleoptera;
Family:	Scarabaeidae;
Subfamily:	Dynastinae; MacLeay, 1819
Tribes
	6-8, see text

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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, and their common name refers to 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 beetle larvae are sometimes fried and eaten as a bush delicacy. Rhinoceros beetles are popular 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.

Rhinoceros beetles are also the strongest animals on the planet in relation to their own size. They can lift up to 850 times their own weight^[1].

[edit] Systematics and selected taxes

Male Hercules beetle, Dynastes hercules. (The green beetle in the background is a flower beetle, Eudicella gralli.)

Well-known species of rhino beetles include the Atlas Beetle (Chalcosoma atlas), Elephant Beetle (Megasoma elephas), European Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes nasicornis), Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus), Hercules Beetle (Dynastes hercules), Ox Beetle (Strategus aloeus), the Unicorn Beetle (Dynastes tityus) and the Common Rhinoceros Beetle (Xylotrupes ulysses)

The rhino beetle tribes with some selected genera are

[edit] Agaocephalini

- Aegopsis

[edit] Cyclocephalini

[edit] Dynastini

- Allomyrina Arrow, 1911
- Chalcosoma (including Atlantase)
- Dynastes (including Satanix)
- Eupatorus Burmeister, 1847
- Golofa
- Megasoma Kirby, 1825
- Pachyoryctes Arrow, 1908
- Xylotrupes Hope, 1837
- Goldsterus

[edit] Oryctini

- Coelosis Hope, 1837
- Heterogomphus Burmeister, 1847
- Megaceras Hope, 1837
- Oryctes Illiger, 1798
- Strategus Hope, 1837
- Trichogomphus Burmeister, 1847