Hercules Beetle

Lore & Background

Dynastes hercules is known for its tremendous strength and is named after Hercules, a hero of classical mythology who is famed for his great strength.

In Their Own Story

The heaviest of the widespread, varied complex of insects is the Little Barrier Island giant wētā, *Deinacrida heteracantha*, of New Zealand; one specimen weighed 71 g (2.5 oz) and measured nearly 10 cm (3.9 in), giving it one of the largest insect weights ever known. These heavyweight insects can be over 9 cm (3.5 in) long. The largest (heaviest) macropredatory Orthopteran is *Sia ferox* (also known as "Riokku" or the "Giant Raspy Cricket"), from the family Stenopelmatidae. It can measure more than 9 cm (3.5 in) and weigh more than 35 g (1.2 oz). Other species of macropredatory Orthoptera can get almost as large: *Sia incisa*, *Anostostoma australasiae* and *Motuweta isolata* (all from the superfamily Stenopelmatoidea). The giant predatory katydids (family Tettigoniidae) of the genus *Saga* aren't quite as robust.

Reader's Guide

Adult body sizes (not including the thoracic horn) vary between 50 and 85 mm in length and 29 and 42 mm in width. Male Hercules beetles may reach up to 173 mm in length (including the horn), making them the longest species of beetle in the world if horns are included. The species is highly sexually dimorphic, with only males exhibiting horns. Males have black bodies with olive-green elytra that darken at high humidity. Females have punctured elytra, usually entirely black. Larvae are saproxylophagous, feeding on rotting wood, and can grow up to 11 cm in length. Adults feed on fresh and rotting fruit and tree sap. Males engage in combat using their horns to win mating rights.

Did You Know?

• The Hercules beetle is the longest extant beetle species in the world.
• Males can reach up to 173 mm in length including their horn.
• The elytra of males change color from olive-green to black depending on humidity.
• Larvae feed on rotting wood and can weigh more than 100 grams.
• Adult beetles can live for three to six months in captivity.