![]() ![]() ^ Buchalski, Benjamin Gutierrez, Eric Emlen, Douglas Lavine, Laura Swanson, Brook (15 October 2019).^ "Why horn size matters when picking a mate"." Oryctoantiquus borealis, New Genus and Species from the Eocene of Oregon, U.S.A., the World's Oldest Fossil Dynastine and Largest Fossil Scarabaeid (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae)". "Inexpensive load carrying by rhinoceros beetles". Coleoptera, Beetles, Volume 1, Morphology and Systematics (Archostemata, Adephaga, Myxophaga, Polyphaga partim). ![]() "Family-group names in Coleoptera (Insecta)". Tribes with selected genera and species Agaocephalini The fungus Metarhizium majus is a proven biocontrol agent for beetle infestation in crops. Some species' larvae, however, will attack healthy trees or even root vegetables, and when they occur in large numbers, can cause economically significant damage. Usually though, beetle population densities are not as high as in some other pest insects, and they typically prefer food trees which are already sick or dying from some other cause. Some species can become major pests, e.g., in tree plantations. Rhinoceros beetles could play a big part in the next generation of aircraft design. MinJun Kim, leading a team of engineers in National Science Foundation-funded research, examined the function and aerodynamics of Allomyrina dichotoma with the help of researchers in Drexel University's Mechanical Engineering Department and in collaboration with Konkuk University in South Korea. To get the two male beetles to lock in combat, a female beetle is used, or a small noisemaker duplicating the female's mating call.Įntomologist Séverin Tchibozo suggests the larvae contain much more protein (40%) than chicken (20%) and beef (approximately 18%), and they could become a protein source for a large human population. Since males naturally have the tendency to fight each other for the attention of females, they are the ones used for battle. Also in Asia, male beetles are used for gambling fights. Rhinoceros beetles have become popular pets in parts of Asia, due to being relatively clean, easy to maintain, and safe to handle. Small males often avoid larger males and exhibit alternative strategies to gain access to females. ![]() In this and other species that defend mating sites, larger males with larger horns mate more frequently, as they win more contests. Males use their horns to pry rival males off the area, which also may give them the chance to mate with a female. Male Japanese rhinoceros beetles ( Allomyrina dichotoma) fight to dominate sap sites. Contrary to what their size may imply, adult rhinoceros beetles do not eat large amounts, unlike their larvae, which eat a significant amount of rotting wood. First, the larvae hatch from eggs and later develop into pupae before they reach adult status (see picture at left). The larvae feed on rotten wood and the adults feed on nectar, plant sap, and fruit. These beetles' larval stages can be several years long. The females rarely live long after they mate. Rhinoceros beetles are relatively resilient a healthy adult male can live up to 2–3 years. The hissing squeaks are created by rubbing their abdomens against the ends of their wing covers. If rhinoceros beetles are disturbed, some can release very loud, hissing squeaks. When the sun is out, they hide under logs or in vegetation to camouflage themselves from the few predators big enough to want to eat them. Additionally, since they are nocturnal, they avoid many of their predators during the day. Their best protection from predators is their size and stature. A pair of thick wings lie atop another set of membranous wings underneath, allowing the rhinoceros beetle to fly, although not very efficiently, owing to its large size. The body of an adult rhinoceros beetle is covered by a thick exoskeleton. The size of the horn is a good indicator of nutrition and physical health. ![]() The horns are used in fighting other males during mating season, and for digging. Each has a horn on the head and another horn pointing forward from the center of the thorax. Common names of the Dynastinae refer to the characteristic horns borne only by the males of most species in the group. Some modern Oryctini grew up to 7 centimetres (2.8 in). An extinct Eocene Oryctoantiquus borealis was the largest fossil scarabeid, with a length of 5 centimetres (2.0 in). Some species have been anecdotally claimed to lift up to 850 times their own weight. The Dynastinae are among the largest of beetles, reaching more than 15 cm (6 in) in length, but are completely harmless to humans because they cannot bite or sting. Larva (back), pupa (center), imago (front) European rhinoceros beetle – three stages from larva to adult: ![]()
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