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European Rhinoceros Beetle ♀
Oryctes nasicornis
45.0765, 13.6456
Field Notes
Description:
It is a large flying beetle belonging to the family Dynastinae. It reach a length of 20 - 40 mm, with a maximum of 60 mm. It one of the largest beetles found in Europe. Elytra are reddish brown with a glazed appearance, while head and pronotum ar slightly darker. The underside of the body and the legs are covered with long red hair. It is a sexually dimorphic species. The male's head is topped by a long curved horn (hence its common name), while the females have no horns. The larvae grow in decaying plants feeding on woody debris (xylophagy), generally non-resinous. They can reach a length of 60 - 100 mm. The development period lasts 2 to 3 or 4 years. The adult size can be influenced by the quality and abundance of food.
Habitat:
It inhabits the Palaearctic region, excluding the British Isles. It is the only representative of the Dynastinae family found in Northern Europe. It is widespread in the Mediterranean basin up to Pakistan, the Near East and North Africa. The rhinoceros beetle lives on wood, and the large larvae can be found in rotting wood stumps and around sawdust. At the margin of its distribution, the beetle is often found in connection with sawmills and horse racing tracks.
Notes:
Dead specimen found by the road ;(
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