Strategus aloeus

Strategus aloeus
Strategus aloeus
Male Strategus aloeus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Genus: Strategus
Species: S. aloeus
Binomial name
Strategus aloeus
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The ox beetle, Strategus aloeus, is a species of rhinoceros beetle. The "major" males of this species have three large horns on the thorax, resembling the Triceratops. The "minor" males have horns as well, but the two back ones are small and the frontal horn is much shorter than the horn in major males. Female ox beetles have a very short horn which has little use in fighting but is used for digging in the ground. These beetles grow to be around 1"-1.5" inches long as adults when the horns are excluded in the males.

Although this species occurs in the United States, its populations are much higher in Mexico, Central America and parts of South America.

The larvae of this species feeds on roots in the ground, while the adults feed on flowers and all sorts of fruit. The larvae take around 4–6 months to reach the pupal stage. The pupal stage can be shortened in captivity when placing the pupae in a warm room or near any warmth. The adults are active from May-November, and during this time both males and females try to mate. These beetles are very common near lights in the summer and can be collected in large numbers in some areas. The larvae of these beetles are sometimes considered a pest because they can damage lawns and gardens by feeding on the roots.

  • Ox Beetle (male left, female right)

  • Adult male

  • Adult female

References

External links


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