Goliathus orientalis
| Distribution: | Congo, Tanzania, Angola & Zambia |
| Size: | 100mm body (male), 60mm body (female) |
| Diet: | Tree sap |
What. A. Monster. G.orientalis is one of the largest Gloiath Beetle species, and looks all the more impressive when its huge wings are spread. These wings, which are more than capable of noisy flight, are black but beautifully iridescent in the right light.
You’ll notice this male has ‘Y’ shaped horns atop its head. Like stag beetles (and stags, and maybe unicorns), these are used for fighting. Females have more of a wedge-shaped head because they aren’t interested in fighting but do need to do a lot of digging.
Goliath beetles can lift over 800 times their own weight which, to put it in context, is a bit like you lifting something that’s over 800 times your weight.
Take a closer look…
