Chalcosoma caucasus
| Caucasus beetle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male of Chalcosoma caucasus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Scarabaeidae |
| Subfamily: | Dynastinae |
| Genus: | Chalcosoma |
| Species: | C. caucasus |
| Binomial name | |
| Chalcosoma caucasus (Fabricius, 1801) | |
Chalcosoma caucasus (Caucasus beetle) is a species of beetle in the Scarabaeidae family. This species is a senior synonym of Chalcosoma chiron and Chalcosoma janssensi. [1][2]
Description
Chalcosoma caucasus can reach a length of 90–120 millimetres (3.5–4.7 in), but only males can reach the maximum length.[3] It is the largest of the genus Chalcosoma and one of Asia's largest beetles. These beetles have a striking sexual dimorphism. The males have specialised enormous, curved horns on the head and thorax that they use to fight with each other to gain mating rights with females. Females are smaller. The elytra of the females have a velvety texture, as they are covered by tiny hairs. [3] When males enter into contests for females[3] the fighting spirit is also strong as in Hercules Beetle of South America. Because of the possibility of capture throughout the year the acquisition of these beetles is easy and the price is quite cheap. [4]
Distribution
This species can be found from Malaysia south into Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Malay Peninsula and Indochina).[5]