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Rhinoceros Beetle (female)
Xylotrupes gideon
-27.5373, 153.079
Field Notes
Description:
I rescued this lovely big beetle today. She was flat on her back right in the middle of a car park, and would have died from heat exposure or by being crushed. She is a Rhinoceros Beetle, aka Elephant Beetle, and belongs to the Scarab family of beetles which have special antennae with fans on their tips. This is a large beetle (up to 6 cms) and has earned its name because the males generally have notable horns on the head and thorax. The females are unarmed. A previous spotting of the larvae of this species - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/1566406004
Habitat:
Common in the Brisbane area and tropical north in general. Larvae hatch in summer months to adults and aggregate for mating in poinciana trees where they feed on soft bark and young shoots. They are chiefly nocturnal, hence being frequently found around street lights. I usually find them in built-up areas with lots of concrete, like car parks. Today's spotting was no exception.
Notes:
These beetles are harmless, although they do latch on tightly with their strong legs and sharp claws. No need for concern, but I couldn't get this girl to let go of my fingers, and I didn't want to force the situation for fear of hurting her. I tried placing her on a variety of foliage that I thought she may like, but all were met with loud hissing sounds (made by rubbing the abdomen against the wing covers). A tree fern was soundly rejected, as was a happy plant, neither of which made her particularly happy, but she finally settled on a murraya shrub (M. paniculata) and willingly alighted from my hand, enabling me to get back to work, albeit about 15 minutes late. My good deed for the day :) I could have just driven off with her still clinging to my fingers. I'm sure that would have turned a few of my fellow motorist's heads.
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