On our planet, there are about 400 species of beetles. Big and small, beautiful and not very, unique and ordinary. The family of beetles (or beetles) is one of the most interesting to study. Today we will discuss such a representative of the family of beetles as the Hercules beetle. What is he like?
Beetle named Hercules
Hercules beetle belongs to the family of lamellae and bears the title of the largest representative of this group.
It is a species of rhinoceros beetle. The insect got its name in honor of the ancient Greek hero Hercules. The ancient demigod possessed remarkable strength and endurance. Hercules beetle is also very strong. He lifts weights 850 times his own! Many scientists call it the most powerful insect on Earth. A person, in order to compare with the strength of the Hercules beetle, will need to raise 65 tons.
Recently, fights between the beetle and various arthropods have become popular. In a duel with a scorpion or lobster, Hercules usually comes out victorious thanks to the horns that he uses in the battle to capture the enemy.
In addition, the Hercules beetle is one of the largest among insects. In size, it is second only to the woodcutter-titan, who was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in the world. However, despite the size and amazing strength of Hercules, the giant lives only six months. Therefore, the female in a short period should have time to lay as many eggs as possible.
Hercules mates in the rainy season. Often there are several males per female, which are especially aggressive during this period. The male who wins the fight for possession of the female mates with her.
Interesting fact! The larva of the beetle in several months grows to 19 cm. Its weight reaches 100 grams. Therefore, among American Aborigines, it is considered a delicacy.
The appearance of Hercules
Consider in more detail the description of the Hercules beetle. The dimensions are impressive. Its weight can reach 111 grams. This is the largest indicator among insects. Even the goliath beetle rarely weighs more than 100 grams. The body length of the male is from 15 to 22 cm. Females are much smaller. Their length is about 8 cm.
One can also distinguish males from females due to the presence of large horns in the former. Antlers on the head, directed forward, with several notches, are a hallmark of representatives of the genus Dynastes. The upper horn is rounded. A thick layer of reddish hairs is visible at its tip. Females do not have horns.
Most of the beetle's body is covered with hard elytra. They change color depending on the habitat. For a long time, the color change of beetles was a matter of interest to scientists. During the study of this phenomenon, it was possible to identify enzymes that change the color of the elytra depending on the level of humidity in the environment. This allows beetles to quickly adapt to climate change. Therefore, the insect can be used as an indicator of the level of environmental humidity. Its color can be yellow, olive, olive-brown, dark yellow with black spots. His whole body is covered with short, hard villi.
Females have a black, matte color. Their whole body is covered with tubercles and red hairs.
Where does the Hercules Beetle live?
The insect prefers a tropical and subtropical climate. It can be found in the forests of South and Central America. Today, in large numbers, these giants live in Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Mexico, Panama, and the Caribbean. During the wet season, beetles are ubiquitous. Hercules beetle also lives in Peru, Ecuador and other places with an abundance of rainforests.
In addition, in some specialized stores beetles can be bought. Hercules beetle, despite its terrifying appearance, is absolutely safe for humans and does not react to it at all when meeting. Therefore, many people buy a tropical pet. Since an adult costs about $ 300, the larva of a Hercules beetle is often acquired. However, in this case, it needs certain conditions for growth and development.
What does it eat?
What does the Hercules Beetle eat? The main diet of this giant insect is rotten fruit that has fallen to the ground. A beetle can eat the same fruit for a long time, until it has sucked all the nutrients out of it. If necessary, he can also climb a tree in search of food with powerful legs. Uses Hercules and wings to fly from one tree to another. Its wingspan is 22 cm.