Brown Rhinoceros Beetle

Description:

Scarabaeidae; Dynastinae; Xylotrupes gideon philippinensis (male) Herbst, 1790. "Xylotrupes gideon can reach a length of 3.5–7 centimetres (1.4–2.8 in). As usual with rhinoceros beetles there is a great difference between the genders. Males are larger than females. They have two chitinous bifurcated horns, a thick thoracic horn and a smaller cephalic horn, which they use to eliminate their rivals during the mating period. These beetles are shiny dark red, dark brown, or black in coloration. The eyes are located on each side of the head. When disturbed these beetles make a hissing noise, produced by rubbing the tip of the abdomen against the edge of the elytra." Wikipedia.

Habitat:

Spotted clambering all over a cactus plant in our front garden. I really don't know why he was on that plant when there is a perfectly good Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) within 10 ft. of it. Of course, he may have landed on the cactus by mistake. This species of beetle is so heavy that it is almost a miracle that it can actually take to the air, but its flight path appears to be almost entirely in straight lines. It does not seem to be able to change direction in flight very easily. So it constantly crashes into things.

Notes:

I really don't know why this beetle was on that cactus when there was a perfectly good Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) within 10 ft. of it. Of course, he may have landed on the cactus by mistake. This species of beetle is so heavy that it is almost a miracle that it can actually take to the air, but its flight path appears to be almost entirely in straight lines. It does not seem to be able to change direction in flight very easily. So it constantly crashes into things. Plant identification - http://www.stuartxchange.org/Niyog2.html...