Beetles

A couple of our largest local beetles are the male Giant Stag Beetle (Lucanus elaphus) and the Eastern Hercules Beetle (Dynastes tityus), both of which may reach 40-50 mm in length, excluding the so-called antlers or horns.

The giant stag beetle (above) inhabits local woodlands and feeds on plant juices and secretions from aphids; grubs or larvae feed on the juices of wet decaying wood.
The male hercules beetle (below) with the curved horn is distinguishable from the female which has no horn. Its color may vary from spotted green-gray to chestnut brown. Adults are known to rub the tender bark on new plant growth until the sap begins to flow, providing a source of food. Hercules beetles are also called “unicorn” or “rhinoceros” beetles.

Large beetles are attracted by night lights, to the great joy of student collectors.

Notes:

This article was first published in the Danville Register and Bee, Danville, VA, on Sunday, September 23, 2001.
See also Bill Hathaway's PittPaths website.
Bill Hathaway's online photographs and descriptions are sponsored by Mitchells Publications.