Post by Sabre52 on Aug 8, 2012 15:45:01 GMT -5
Howdy folks,
As you all know we grow'em big here in Texas. Even though I'm retired, I often get called on to ID critters and this beetle flew into one of my neighbors lights last night so of course, she thought of me first. First time I've ever had one of the males in hand. This is the Eastern Hercules Beetle ( sometimes called the Dynastes or Unicorn beetle), and the largest member of the scarab family we have here in Texas. This is a male. The female lacks the large horns. Adults feed on sap and the larvae on decaying heartwood in trees. The horns are use for shoving contests with other males and do not close like jaws. The actual head and jaws are under the horn apparatus. Unbelievably strong beetle when held in hand. Easy to see how they got their name....Mel
Head shot, bad one, I'm sorry. Hard to focus and hang onto the squirmy beetle at the same time *L*
As you all know we grow'em big here in Texas. Even though I'm retired, I often get called on to ID critters and this beetle flew into one of my neighbors lights last night so of course, she thought of me first. First time I've ever had one of the males in hand. This is the Eastern Hercules Beetle ( sometimes called the Dynastes or Unicorn beetle), and the largest member of the scarab family we have here in Texas. This is a male. The female lacks the large horns. Adults feed on sap and the larvae on decaying heartwood in trees. The horns are use for shoving contests with other males and do not close like jaws. The actual head and jaws are under the horn apparatus. Unbelievably strong beetle when held in hand. Easy to see how they got their name....Mel
Head shot, bad one, I'm sorry. Hard to focus and hang onto the squirmy beetle at the same time *L*
