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Elephant Beetle

Elephant Beetle

Xylotrupes gideon

A species of Rhinoceros beetles, Also known as Rhinoceros beetle, Fighting beetle

The robust frame of elephant Beetle is adorned with a pair of formidable forward-facing horns that exhibit notable sexual dimorphism, being considerably more pronounced in males. These impressive appendages are engaged in combative displays during mating periods. The adult of the species is characterized by a diet rich in tree sap and fruit, while the larvae subsist on decaying plant matter, contributing to nutrient cycling within their forest habitats.

General Info About Elephant Beetle
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Attributes of Elephant Beetle
Colors
Brown
Black
Red
Habitat
warm area; forested area; compost pile; rotting wood
Adult Food Sources
Sap, fruits (especially rotting or fermenting fruits), nectar, plant juices, tree sap
Larva Food Source
Decomposing plant material, rotting wood, humus-rich soil, leaf litter, decaying organic matter
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
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Distribution Area of Elephant Beetle
This species is widespread in Indonesia: Java (nominotypical form), Borneo (borneensis), Sunda Islands and Moluccas.
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Life Cycle of Elephant Beetle
Egg The egg stage is the first in the life cycle; eggs are usually laid in clusters. Tiny and ovate, elephant Beetle's eggs remain stationary and are often deposited in protected environments conducive to development.
Larva Upon hatching, elephant Beetle enters its larval stage, characterized by a voracious appetite for organic matter. These grubs are elongated, soft-bodied, and pale with a darker head, growing significantly in size through successive molts.
Pupal Transition to the pupal stage involves elephant Beetle encasing itself in a protective cocoon. Inside the pupa, it undergoes drastic transformation; limbs, wings, and internal organs are reshaped into the adult form.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult elephant Beetle's development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
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Predators of Elephant Beetle Larvae
Birds, rodents, reptiles
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Predators of Adult Elephant Beetle
Birds, reptiles, mammals
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Scientific Classification of Elephant Beetle
Tips for Finding Elephant Beetle
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Adult Habitat of Elephant Beetle
Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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Habitat Preferences of Elephant Beetle Through Different Life Stages
The larvae of elephant Beetle develop underground, feeding on decomposing plant matter, typically found in or near rotting wood, compost, or mulch in forested areas. To find the larvae, one must dig into this organic substrate. Adults are commonly seen on the trunks and limbs of trees, attracted to sap flows and decaying fruits. Searching for adults involves scouring these trees at dusk when the elephant Beetle are most active. The pupal stage occurs within a cocoon in the soil, so locating them requires careful excavation near larval feeding sites.
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Common Questions People Also Ask
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