The Non-Mythological Hercules Beetle

The Hercules Beetle (Dynastes Hercules) has feats of strength and size similar to the demigod of the same name from Greek mythology. They are part of the family Scarabaeidae as a dynastine scarab beetle (Featured Creatures, University of Florida). These beetles are one of the largest flying insects, with some males growing up to 17.2 cm long (Live Science). They are known not just for their size but also their strength also proves to be no joke; they can lift objects that are hundreds of times their weight (Live Science). Ants, also known for being able to lift heavy things compared to their weight, can only lift objects up to around 20 times their body weight (Wired).

The horn is present in only males (LiveScience). Max Barclay, a curator of beetles at the Natural History Museum of London, states that the males make a sacrifice by having these horns as it makes them more vulnerable and hindered but more attractive. The males are black on the head and horn. The body and wings are often olive green with interspersed black spots. The Elytra (their wings) can vary in color based on the humidity. The Elytra of females are mostly black except for the edges in some specimens where the edges are similar to a male's wings (Features Creatures UF).

Males boast a pair of impressive horns that serve many purposes. The males use these horns to duel with other males over a mate. They use their horns like pincers and attempt to grasp and throw their opponent (LiveScience). Males, during the mating season, are highly aggressive towards each other. The winners of these battles of strength will get the females. But against predators, other methods come into play: sounds and scent. Hercules beetles are capable of emitting a hissing sound when disturbed or picked up. They achieve this by rubbing their abdomen against their Elytra (UWI). They always have the option to fly away, too. But before all that, the beetle releases a foul odor to discourage predators (UWI). The species is nocturnal and even more active when the air is moist due to rain or fog. During these hours, they burrow into the ground (UWI).

This species can be found from southern Mexico to Bolivia, but some populations exist in montanes and pockets of lowland rainforests in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Columbia (Featured Creatures UF). Due to their diet, they are often found on the ground instead of trees. The rotting plant material and moist leaf litter make a perfect spot for these large beetles to camouflage and hide from predators (UWI).

The adult feeds on rotting fruit on the ground and has been observed by scientists to eat up to 24 hours straight without stopping (Featured Creatures UF). The larvae dwell in rotting logs and feed on the decaying material.

Females are capable of laying up to 100 eggs in decaying wood found on the ground (UWI). The eggs are laid where they are so that the larvae don't need to travel far or even anywhere for food (UWI). Males are extremely aggressive and competitive against each other during mating season and the female can induce sexual contact through the use of pheromones (UWI). Both genders gain sexual maturity within 15-22 months and the female undergoes a gestation period of around 30 days in duration. After laying the eggs, both parents provide no other parental activity (UWI).

The eggs have an average incubation period of 27.7 days (Featured Creatures UF). The complete development time ranges from 19 to 21 months with a full metamorphosis of 2 years. The pupal stage lasts around 32 days. The larvae grow up to the size of a human hand from a small egg. Once they reach sufficient size, they will enter a pupa stage and emerge as full adults (LiveScience).

This species is very important to their respective ecosystems as their lifestyle makes them natural nutrient cyclers that support biodegradation (Featured Creatures UF). There is also an auctioning of lab-raised Hercules beetles that are reared in conditions to maximize horn size. Some of the larger specimens can be sold for up to $400 (Featured Creatures UF). They are sold worldwide as pets as they are not harmful to humans (UWI). The species has been labeled as endangered, the status of conservation is unknown however, despite extensive research. The main threats that they face are human activity such as deforestation and climate change (UWI).

Sources

• https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/hercules-beetle-the-titan-insect-with-giant-horns-for-love-and-war (LiveScience)

• https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/MISC/BEETLES/Dynastes_hercules.htm (Featured Creatures UF)

• https://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/sites/default/files/lifesciences/documents/ogatt/Dynastes_hercules%20-%20Hercules%20Beetle.pdf (UWI)