''Megasoma anubis'' is a species of
beetle
Beetles are insects that form the order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Endopterygota. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects. The Coleoptera, with about 400,000 describ ...
s belonging to the family
Scarabaeidae
The family Scarabaeidae, as currently defined, consists of over 30,000 species of beetles worldwide; they are often called scarabs or scarab beetles. The classification of this family has undergone significant change in recent years. Several sub ...
.
[Catalogue of life]
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Description
''Megasoma anubis'' can reach a length of about (including horn). These large and heavy beetles are black but they have a soft, velvety surface, as they are densely covered with a yellowish-grey dust. Males are much larger than females and have a medium length and curved horn on the head. On pronotum there is a short median horn. Females lack horns. The legs are relatively long with sharp claws.
/ref>[M. R. Moor]
Key to Adult Males and Females of the Genus Megasoma
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These beetles are considered a pest. The larvae live and develop in 1–2 years. They feed on the inflorescence of the Chinese fan palm (''Livistona chinensis
''Livistona chinensis'', the Chinese fan palm or fountain palm, is a species of subtropical palm tree of east Asia. It is native to southern Japan, Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands, southeastern China and Hainan. In Japan, two notable populations occ ...
''). Adults mainly feed on rotting fruits and can be found from January to April.[
]
Distribution
This species has a Neotropical distribution (Brazil).[
]
Gallery
File:Megasoma anubis.jpg , Illustration of ''Megasoma anubis'' (male)
File:Megasoma.hector.jpg, Mounted specimen from Brazil
References
* Reitter, E. 1960. Beetles. G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY.
* Castelnau F. (1840) Histoire Naturelle des Insectes Coléoptères. Avec une introduction renfermant L'Anatomie et la Physiologie des Animaux Articulés, par M.Brullé, P.Duménil. Paris 2:1-564
* Gory H.L. (1836) Tetralobus et Scarabaeus nouveaux, Annales de la Société Entomologique de France 5:513-515
* Chevrolat A. (1836) carabaeus Anubis Guérin-Méneville F.E. Magazine Zoologie Plates 139-140
Dynastinae
Insects of Brazil
Endemic insects of Brazil
Beetles described in 1836
{{Dynastinae-stub