subfamily of beetles

Dynastinae or rhinoceros beetles are a subfamily of the scarab beetle syndicate ( Scarabaeidae ). other common names – some for particular groups of rhinoceros beetles – include Hercules beetles, unicorn beetles or horn beetles. Over 1500 species and 225 genus of rhinoceros beetles are known. [ 2 ] many rhinoceros beetles are well known for their alone shapes and bombastic sizes. Some celebrated species are, for case, the Atlas overhang ( Chalcosoma atlas ), common rhinoceros beetle ( Xylotrupes ulysses ), elephant mallet ( Megasoma elephas ), european rhinoceros beetle ( Oryctes nasicornis ), Hercules mallet ( Dynastes hercules ), japanese rhinoceros overhang or kabutomushi ( Allomyrina dichotoma ), ox beetle ( Strategus aloeus ) and the easterly Hercules overhang ( Dynastes tityus ).

description and ecology [edit ]

The Dynastinae are among the largest of beetles, reaching more than 15 centimeter ( 6 in ) in length, but are wholly harmless to humans because they can not bite or sting. Some species have been anecdotally claimed to lift up to 850 times their own weight unit. [ 3 ] Their common names refer to the characteristic horns borne alone by the males of most species in the group. Each has a horn on the principal and another automobile horn pointing forward from the center of the thorax. The horns are used in fighting other males during mating season, and for digging. The size of the horn is a good indicator of nutrition and physical health. [ 4 ] The body of an adult rhinoceros beetle is covered by a blockheaded exoskeleton. A pair of slurred wings lie atop another place of membranous wings underneath, allowing the rhinoceros beetle to fly, although not very efficiently, owing to its large size. Their best security from predators is their size and stature. additionally, since they are nocturnal, they avoid many of their predators during the day. When the sun is out, they hide under logs or in vegetation to camouflage themselves from the few predators big adequate to want to eat them. If rhinoceros beetles are disturbed, some can release very brassy, hissing squeaks. The hiss squeaks are created by rubbing their abdomens against the ends of their fly covers. Rhinoceros beetles are relatively resilient ; a goodly adult male can live up to 2–3 years. The females rarely live long after they mate. [ citation needed ] These beetles ‘ larval stages can be several years farseeing. The larva feed on icky wood and the adults feed on nectar, plant fool and fruit. First, the larva hatch from eggs and later develop into pupa before they reach adult condition ( see picture at entrust ). The females lay 50 eggs on modal. contrary to what their size may imply, adult rhinoceros beetles do not eat bombastic amounts, unlike their larva, which eat a significant total of rotting wood. [ citation needed ]

Mating [edit ]

male japanese rhinoceros beetles, ( Allomyrina dichotoma ) contend to dominate sap sites. Males use their horns to pry rival males off the area, which besides may give them the prospect to mate with a female. In this and other species that defend mating sites, larger males with larger horns mate more frequently, as they win more contests. small males frequently avoid larger males and expose alternative strategies to gain access to females. [ 5 ] [ 6 ]

Interactions with humans [edit ]

function by humans [edit ]

Rhinoceros beetles have become popular pets in parts of Asia, [ 7 ] due to being relatively blank, easy to maintain, and safe to handle. besides in Asia, male beetles are used for gambling fights. [ 8 ] Since males naturally have the tendency to fight each early for the attention of females, they are the ones used for battle. To get the two male beetles to lock in fight, a female beetle is used, or a modest noisemaker duplicating the female ‘s match call. Entomologist Séverin Tchibozo suggests the larva incorporate a lot more protein ( 40 % ), than wimp ( 20 % ) and gripe ( approximately 18 % ) and they could become a protein informant for a boastfully human population. [ 9 ] Dr. MinJun Kim, leading a team of engineers in National Science Foundation -funded research, examined the serve and aerodynamics of Allomyrina dichotoma, with the assistant of researchers in Drexel University ‘s Mechanical Engineering Department and in collaboration with Konkuk University in South Korea. Rhinoceros beetles could play a big separate in the adjacent coevals of aircraft design. [ 10 ]

As pests [edit ]

Some species can become major pests, for example, in corner plantations. normally though, beetle population densities are not ampere high as in some other plague insects, and food trees which are typically already ill or dying from some early causal agent are preferred. Some species ‘ larva, however, will attack healthy trees or flush rout vegetables, and when they occur in bombastic numbers, can cause economically significant damage. The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae is a test biocontrol agent for beetle infestation in crops .

Tribes with selected genus and species [edit ]

Auth : Burmeister, 1847. Selected genus :

Auth : Laporte, 1840. Selected genus :

  • Ancognatha Erichson, 1847
  • Cyclocephala Dejean, 1821 (masked chafers)
  • Dyscinetus Harold, 1869 (rice beetles)

Auth : MacLeay, 1819. Selected genus :
Selected genus :
Auth : Mulsant, 1842. Selected genus :
Selected genus :
Auth : Mulsant, 1842. Selected genus :
Auth : Burmeister, 1847 ; selected genus :

  • Cryptodus MacLeay, 1819
  • Phileurus Latreille, 1807

Notes [edit ]

far reading [edit ]

Read more: Willem Dafoe