Goliath Beetle

The Goliath beetles are any of the six species in the genus Goliathus. Goliath beetles are among the largest insects on Earth, if measured in terms of size, bulk and weight. They are members of subfamily Cetoniinae, within the family Scarabaeidae. Goliath beetles can be found in many of Africa's tropical forests, where they feed primarily on tree sap and fruit. Little appears to be known of the larval cycle in the wild, but in captivity, Goliathus beetles have been successfully reared from egg to adult using protein-rich foods, such as commercial cat and dog food. Goliath beetles measure from 6-11 centimeters for males and 5-8 centimeters for females, as adults, and can reach weights of up to 80–100 grams (2.8–3.5 oz) in the larval stage, though the adults are only about half this weight. The females range from a dark chestnut brown to silky white, but the males are normally brown/white/black or black/white. Goliath beetles, while not currently evaluated on the IUCN Red List, are facing growing conservation challenges across their African range due to habitat loss, over-collection for the international pet trade, and the potential impacts of climate change. Scientific Name: Goliathus regius Range: Tropical Africa Size: Up to 11 cm — by weight, among the largest insects on Earth Status: Native ID Notes: Massive scarab with bold black-and-white striped pronotum and red-brown elytra. Males have Y-shaped horn. Behavior / Notes: Larvae weigh up to 100 g, more than the adult. Adults feed on tree sap and overripe fruit.