Megasoma

These large, impressive beetles come from humble means. The entire lifespan of the rhinoceros beetle is 3 to 4 years, but approximately 2 of those years are spent as a grub. In the grub, or larval stage, the beetle munches on decaying wood on the inside of a fallen tree. Since trees in the Tropics decay very quickly and the grubs develop slowly, the grubs will become exposed or run out of food unless they are in a large fallen tree. This is why Megasoma elephas populations can only live in forest mature enough to have a sufficient number of large, fallen trees. Unfortunately, because many parts of tropical lowlands have been deforested, or at least overcut, the rhinoceros beetle is rare and struggling to survive.

(https://www.anywherecostarica.com/flora-fauna/invertebrates/rhinoceros-beetle)

This genus includes one of the hugiest beetles our planet. As the grub they weight up to 150 grams. Adult males can measure about 120mm. Megasoma beetles occur from Mexico to Paraguay.

Diese Käfer gehören zu den Größten, vor allem in der Robustheit und im Gewicht. Larven im dritten Stadium wiegen bis zu 150 gramm un erwachsene Männchen können über 120mm haben. Sie erstrecken sich von Mexiko zu Paraguay.

Megasoma species:

70 - 135mm   Megasoma actaeon Linnaeus, 1758           

65 - 130mm   Megasoma elephas Fabricius, 1775           

65 - 130mm   Megasoma occidentalis Bolívia col., 1963

65 - 125mm   Megasoma mars Reiche, 1852                     

55 - 105mm   Megasoma nogueirai Morón, 2005             

45 - 90mm   Megasoma gyas Herbst, 1775                       

45 - 80mm   Megasoma anubis Chevrolat, 1836             

35 - 65mm   Megasoma pachecoi Cartwright, 1963      

35 - 50mm   Megasoma joergenseni Bruch, 1910           

30 - 50mm   Megasoma thersites Le Conte, 1861            

30 - 40mm   Megasoma vogti Cartwright, 1963            

25 - 35mm   Megasoma punctulatus Cartwright, 1952

20 - 35mm   Megasoma sleeperi Hardy, 1972                

Some of this species can be only subspecies of other, because has many common features (for example M. elephas and M. nogueirai). Sometimes arise problems with true determination (M. actaen and his subspecies M. janus).

To determination this species have very few informations.

Megasoma lecontei Hardy, 1972

Megasoma cedrosa Hardy, 1972

Megasoma lenczyi Cartwright, 1976 

Megasoma mexicanus

Megasoma typhon