compost and decayed wood. If you count the

horn as well as the body itself, Dynastinae can also

boast the longest adult beetle: the Hercules Beetle

Dynastes hercules can reach 7½ in (19 cm)—although

half of that is the horn!

Some rhinoceros beetles, such as the Palm

Rhinoceros Oryctes rhinoceros, are pests of coconut

notes

In parts of Asia, such as Thailand, common

rhinoceros beetles, usually Xylotrupes

gideon, are popularly used in gambling.

A female is imprisoned in a bamboo

cage and two males placed on it and

encouraged to fight, with bets placed on

which will win

above | Dynastes hercules A mating pair

of Hercules Beetles from South America,

which are among the longest of all beetles

(if you include the male’s horn).

right | Hexodon One of many species

of this hornless rhinoceros beetle genus,

which resemble tenebrionid beetles and

live in sandy Madagascan forests.

palms in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. However,

most species inhabit tropical forest areas and do no

harm, and in spite of their imposing appearance,

they cannot bite or hurt humans. Many species

have no horns in either sex.