Megasoma anubis

Megasoma anubis is a species of beetles belonging to the family Scarabaeidae.[1] [1]

Megasoma anubis
Male of Megasoma anubis from Brazil
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Scarabaeidae
Genus:
Megasoma
Species:
M. anubis
Binomial name
Megasoma anubis
(Chevrolat, 1836)
Synonyms
  • Scarabaeus hector Gory, 1836
  • Scarabaeus theseus Laporte, 1840

Description

Megasoma anubis can reach a length of about 90 millimetres (3.5 in) (including horn). These large and heavy beetles are black but they have a soft, velvety surface, as they are densely covered with a yellowish-grey dust. Males are much larger than females and have a medium length and curved horn on the head. On pronotum there is a short median horn. Females lack horns. The legs are relatively long with sharp claws.[2][3]

These beetles are considered a pest. The larvae live and develop in 1–2 years. They feed on the inflorescence of the Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinensis). Adults mainly feed on rotting fruits and can be found from January to April.[2]

Distribution

This species has a Neotropical distribution (Brazil).[1][2]

  • Illustration of Megasoma anubis (male)
  • Mounted specimen from Brazil
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References
  1. Catalogue of life
  2. Generic Guide to New World Scarab Beetles - Megasoma anubis
  3. M. R. Moore Key to Adult Males and Females of the Genus Megasoma
  • Reitter, E. 1960. Beetles. G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY.
  • Castelnau F. (1840) Histoire Naturelle des Insectes Coléoptères. Avec une introduction renfermant L'Anatomie et la Physiologie des Animaux Articulés, par M.Brullé, P.Duménil. Paris 2:1-564
  • Gory H.L. (1836) Tetralobus et Scarabaeus nouveaux, Annales de la Société Entomologique de France 5:513-515
  • Chevrolat A. (1836) [Scarabaeus Anubis], Guérin-Méneville F.E. Magazine Zoologie Plates 139-140


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