The larvae can grow up to 11 cm (4.5 in) in length and weigh more than 100 grams. The larvae have a yellow body with a black head. Once hatched, the larval stage of the Hercules beetle may last up to two years in duration, where it will go through 3 metamorphosis stages, also known as instars. The eggs have an incubation period of approximately 27.7 days before they hatch. Females have an average gestation period of 30 days from copulation to egg-laying, and may lay up to 100 eggs on the ground or on dead wood. The mating season for adults typically occurs during the rainy season (July to December). Not much is known about the life cycle in the wild, but much evidence has been gained through observations of captive-bred populations. hercules have punctured elytra which are usually entirely black, but sometimes have the last quarter of the elytra colored in the same way as the males. At low humidity the elytra are olive-green or yellow in color, but darken to black at higher humidity due to changes in light refraction. They have a slightly iridescent coloration to their elytra, which varies in color between specimens and may be affected by the humidity of the local environment in which they develop. They have a black suture with sparsely distributed black spots elsewhere on the elytra. The body of males is black with the exception of the elytra, which can have shades of olive-green. ĭynastes hercules is highly sexually dimorphic, with only males exhibiting the characteristic horns (one on the head, and a much larger one on the prothorax). This variability results from developmental mechanisms that coincide with genetic predisposition in relation to nutrition, stress, exposure to parasites, and/or physiological conditions. The size of the horn is naturally variable, more so than any variation of the size of legs, wings, or overall body size in the species. Male Hercules beetles may reach up to 173 mm (7 in) in length (including the horn), making them the longest species of beetle in the world, if jaws and/or horns are included in the measurement. Dynastes hercules trinidadensis Chalumeau & Reid, 1995 (= bleuzeni Silvestre and Dechambre, 1995)Īdult body sizes (not including the thoracic horn) vary between 50 and 85 mm (2.0 and 3.3 in) in length and 29 and 42 mm (1.1 and 1.7 in) in width.Dynastes hercules takakuwai Nagai, 2002.Dynastes hercules septentrionalis Lachaume, 1985 (= tuxtlaensis Moron, 1993).Dynastes hercules reidi Chalumeau, 1977 (= baudrii Pinchon, 1976).Dynastes hercules paschoali Grossi & Arnaud, 1993.Dynastes hercules occidentalis Lachaume, 1985.Dynastes hercules morishimai Nagai, 2002.Dynastes hercules lichyi Lachaume, 1985. Dynastes hercules hercules (Linnaeus, 1758).Dynastes hercules ecuatorianus Ohaus, 1913.hercules have been named, though still some uncertainty exists as to the validity of the named taxa. hercules, seven other species are recognized in the genus Dynastes. It is in the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles) in the larger family Scarabaeidae (commonly known as scarab beetles). hercules has a complex taxonomic history and has been known by several synonyms. They have been observed feeding on peaches, pear, apple, and grapes within captivity.Dynastes hercules is known for its tremendous strength and is named after Hercules, a hero of classical mythology who is famed for his great strength. The larval stage of the Hercules beetle will feed on rotting wood during this two year stage.The adult Hercules beetle feeds on fresh and rotting fruit. After the larval period, transformation into a pupa, and moulting, the beetle then emerges as an adult. Much of the life of the larva is spent tunneling through rotting wood. The larval stage of the Hercules beetle will last one to two years, with the larva growing up to 4.5 inches (11 cm) in length and weighing more than 100 grams. Reports suggest the Hercules beetle is able to carry up to 850 times its body mass but actual measurements on a much smaller (and relatively stronger: see square-cube law) species of rhinoceros beetle shows a carrying capacity only up to 100 times their body mass, at which point they can barely move. Several subspecies have been named, though there is still some uncertainty as to the validity of the named taxa. Dynastes hercules is highly sexually dimorphic, with only males exhibiting the characteristic horn. They are large beetles, with some males reaching 17.5 cm including the horn, and a slightly iridescent coloration to their elytra, which also vary in color from beetle to beetle, and even depending on the humidity. Source: - Amazing Montage - The Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules, Dynastinae) is a rhinoceros beetle native to the rainforests of Central America, South America, Lesser Antilles, and the Andes.
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