Dynastes tityus
| Location: | Eastern USA |
| Size: | 60mm |
| Diet: | Rotting wood (larvae), rotting fruit & tree sap (adult) |
D.tityus is a type of rhinoceros beetle, so called because of the males’ thick grey hides large horns, which (in a recurring theme) are used for fighting. The size of their horns are dictated by how well they fed during their larval stage. These beetles can lift over 100 times their own weight, which sounds impressive but I can tie my own shoelaces so I think we all know who the real winner is here.
Interestingly, these beetles are able to partially camouflage themselves via a quite ingenious method. Their elytra (the hardened wing cases of the abdomen) become darker as they absorb moisture, so individuals located in soil or rotting wood will take on a darker appearance, helping them to blend in with their surroundings.
This illustration was a commission from a follower on Twitter who keeps these incredible beetles as pets – it was an exciting challenge to try and capture the reflective qualities of the exoskeleton alongside the lovely speckled texture.
Take a closer look…
