Hercules Beetle

The Hercules beetle is a species of rhinoceros beetle native to the tropical forests of southern Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Lesser Antilles. It is the longest extant species of beetle in the world, and is also one of the largest flying insects in the world. Scientific Name: Dynastes hercules Range: Central & South America rainforests Size: Up to 17 cm including horns — one of the largest beetles in the world Status: Native ID Notes: Males have a massive thoracic horn that meets an upcurved horn from the head, forming pincers. Yellow-olive elytra in males. Behavior / Notes: Males joust horn-to-horn for mates. Can lift 850 times their own body weight. Larvae take 1–2 years to develop, growing to chicken-egg size.