Dynastinae
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2015) |
Dynastinae Temporal range:
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Family: | Scarabaeidae |
Subfamily: | Dynastinae MacLeay , 1819
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Tribes | |
See text[1] |
Dynastinae or rhinoceros beetles are a
Many rhinoceros beetles are well known for their unique shapes and large sizes. Some famous species are, for example, the
Description
The Dynastinae are among the largest of beetles, reaching more than 15 centimetres (6 inches) in length, but are completely harmless to humans because they cannot bite or sting. Some species have been anecdotally claimed to lift up to 850 times their own weight.[3] An extinct Eocene Oryctoantiquus borealis was the largest fossil scarabeid, with a length of 5 centimetres (2.0 in).[4] Some modern Oryctini grew up to 7 cm (3 in).[4] Common names of the Dynastinae refer to the characteristic horns borne only by the males of most species in the group. Each has a horn on the head and another horn pointing forward from the center of the thorax. The horns are used in fighting other males during mating season, and for digging. The size of the horn is a good indicator of nutrition and physical health.[5]
The body of an adult rhinoceros beetle is covered by a thick
Ecology
These beetles'
Mating
Male Japanese rhinoceros beetles (Allomyrina dichotoma) fight to dominate sap sites. Males use their horns to pry rival males off the area, which also may give them the chance to mate with a female. In this and other species that defend mating sites, larger males with larger horns mate more frequently, as they win more contests. Small males often avoid larger males and exhibit alternative strategies to gain access to females.[6][7]
As pests
Some species, such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle (
Uses
Rhinoceros beetles have become popular pets in parts of Asia,[9] due to being relatively clean, easy to maintain, and safe to handle. Also in Asia, male beetles are used for gambling fights.[10] Since males naturally have the tendency to fight each other for the attention of females, they are the ones used for battle. To get the two male beetles to lock in combat, a female beetle is used, or a small noisemaker duplicating the female's mating call.
Entomologist Séverin Tchibozo suggests the larvae contain much more protein (40%) than chicken (20%) and beef (approximately 18%), and they could become a protein source for a large human population.[11]
Dr. MinJun Kim, leading a team of engineers in
Tribes with selected genera and species
Agaocephalini
Auth: Burmeister, 1847. all genera:
- Aegopsis Burmeister, 1847
- Agaocephala Lepeletier & Audinet-Serville, 1828
- Antodon Brême, 1845
- Brachysiderus Waterhouse, 1881
- Colacus Ohaus, 1910
- Democrates (beetle) Burmeister, 1847
- Gnathogolofa Arrow, 1914
- Horridocalia Endrödi, 1974
- Lycomedes (beetle) Breme, 1844
- Mitracephala Thomson, 1859
- Spodistes Burmeister, 1847
Cyclocephalini
Auth: Laporte, 1840. Selected genera:
- Ancognatha Erichson, 1847
- Cyclocephala Dejean, 1821 (masked chafers)
- Dyscinetus Harold, 1869 (rice beetles)
Dynastini
Auth: MacLeay, 1819. Selected genera:
- Allomyrina Arrow, 1911 (including Trypoxylus)
- Allomyrina dichotoma – Japanese rhinoceros beetle
- Chalcosoma Hope, 1837
- Chalcosoma atlas – Atlas beetle
- Chalcosoma moellenkampi– Moellenkampi beetle
- Chalcosoma caucasus– Caucasus beetle
- Dynastes MacLeay, 1819
- Dynastes hercules– Hercules beetle
- Dynastes neptunus – Neptune beetle
- Eupatorus Burmeister, 1847
- Eupatorus gracilicornis – Five-horned rhinoceros beetle
- Eupatorus siamensis – Siamese beetle
- Eupatorus birmanicus – Rabbit beetle
- Megasoma Kirby, 1825
- Megasoma mars - Mars beetle
- Megasoma elephas- Elephant beetle
- Megasoma actaeon- Actaeon beetle
- Xylotrupes Hope, 1837
- Xylotrupes gideon – Siamese rhinoceros beetle
- Xylotrupes ulysses
Hexodontini
Auth. Lacordaire, 1856; genera:
- Hemicyrthus Reiche, 1860
- Hexodon Olivier, 1789
- Hyboschema Péringuey, 1901
Oryctini
Auth: Mulsant, 1842. Selected genera:
- Enema Hope, 1837
- Megaceras Hope, 1837
- Oryctes Hellwig, 1798
- Oryctes nasicornis – European rhinoceros beetle
- Oryctes rhinoceros – coconut rhinoceros beetle
- Strategus Kirby, 1828
- Strategus aloeus – ox beetle
- Trichogomphus Burmeister, 1847
- Xyloryctes
Oryctoderini
Auth. Endrödi, 1966; all genera:
- Chalcasthenes Arrow, 1937
- Chalcocrates Heller, 1903
- Coenoryctoderus Prell, 1933
- Hatamus Sharp, 1877
- Melanhyphus Fairmaire, 1881
- Neohyphus Heller, 1896
- Onychionyx Arrow, 1914
- Oryctoderinus Endrödi, 1978
- Oryctoderus Boisduval, 1835
- Paroryctoderus Dechambre, 1994
Pentodontini
Auth: Mulsant, 1842. Selected genera:
- Diloboderus Sturm, 1826 monotypic Diloboderus abderus
- Ligyrus Burmeister, 1847
- Pentodon Hope, 1837
- Pericoptus Burmeister, 1847
- Tomarus Erichson, 1847
Phileurini
Auth: Burmeister, 1847; selected genera:
Notes
- ^ Bouchard, P., Y. Bousquet, A. Davies, M. Alonso-Zarazaga, J. Lawrence, C. Lyal, A. Newton, et al. (2011). "Family-group names in Coleoptera (Insecta)". ZooKeys, vol. 88, 1-972.
- ISBN 978-3-11-037392-9.
- PMID 9318326.
- ^ a b Brett Ratcliffe, Dena M. Smith, Diane Marie Erwin. "Oryctoantiquus borealis, New Genus and Species from the Eocene of Oregon, U.S.A., the World's Oldest Fossil Dynastine and Largest Fossil Scarabaeid (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae)". 2009. The Coleopterists Bulletin 59(Mar 2005):127-135 DOI:10.1649/0010-065X(2005)059[0127:OBNGAS]2.0.CO;2
- ^ "Why horn size matters when picking a mate". New Scientist.
- PMID 31618906.
- .
- ^ Featured Creatures: Coconut rhinoceros beetle
- ^ "WHO? KNEW" (May 6, 2005) Current Science Vol.90 No.16
- ^ "Rhinoceros beetle gambling in Thailand". Archived from the original on 2012-04-12. Retrieved 2006-11-03.
- ^ Global Steak - Demain nos enfants mangeront des criquets (2010 French documentary)
- ^ "Engineers Unlock Secrets of Beetle Flight" (news story). ScienceDaily. April 11, 2012.
ScienceDaily (Apr. 10, 2012) — Rhinoceros beetles could play a big part....
Further reading
- ISBN 978-9061931386.
- Dechambre (R.-P.) & Lachaume (G.) The Beetles of the World, volume 27, The genus Oryctes (Dynastidae), Hillside Books, Canterbury [1]