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Golofa Scarab

Golofa imperialis

Photo by LaurenZarate
Published on Project Noah
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16.71, -92.61

Field Notes

Description:

Large Rhinoceros Scarab of the Genus Golofa with a body length of 3.5 cm. These are always impressive to find and not very common. They have very long legs, especially the prolegs, with long tibiae which make them kind of clumsy on a flat surface but very effective on tree branches. The thoracic horn has a triangular tip when seen from above (fifth picture) and is full of golden hairs on the interior side. The clypeal horn is very long, has several teeth and can be brought up close to the prothoracic horn for grasping (last picture). The spiny legs are painful and difficult to remove if it clamps on to your hand. Golofa scarabs are also interesting in that they exude a strong fruity odor. Family Scarabaeidae.

Habitat:

Came to the lights of a house in a semi-rural area, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)

Thank you so much Ashley, Rieko, Gilma and Antonio :)
Congrats Lauren, this beautiful beetle has been selected as Spotting of the Day! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/photos/a.10150595289465603.674700.10150120463815603/10157356846110603/?type=3&theater Twitter: https://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/768961211643953152

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