Beetles are fascinating insects that form the order Coleoptera, the largest of all orders, constituting almost 40% of described insects and 25% of all known animal species. There are many different kinds of beetles, and some are huge! In this article, we will explore the top 4 largest beetles crawling around the U.S..
From the Hercules beetle to the Goliath beetle, these insects are sure to impress with their size and unique features. Let’s dive in and learn more about these incredible creatures!
You are reading: These Are The Top 4 Largest Beetles Crawling Around The U.S.
Top 4 Largest Beetles Crawling Around The U.S.
Hercules Beetle
The Hercules beetle (Dynastes tityus) is a species of rhinoceros beetle native to the Eastern United States. It is one of the largest beetles in the country, with the adult’s elytra being green, gray, or tan, with black markings, and the whole animal, including the male’s horns, may reach 60 mm (2.4 in) in length.
The larvae feed on decaying wood from various trees. The eastern Hercules beetle is one of the largest insects in the United States, with males reaching a length of 7 inches.
Males have large horns which are usually about 1/3 of the body length, and they use the horns to fight with other males as they compete for mating. Females are typically brownish black, and males typically have black heads and black, brown, or green bodies.
Although these very large beetles appear scary, they are harmless to humans.
Stag Beetle
The reddish-brown stag beetle (Lucanus capreolus) is a beetle of the family Lucanidae and is the second-largest beetle in the U.S. after the Hercules beetle.
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The specific name capreolus is derived from Latin, meaning “roe deer,” referring to the resemblance of the mandibles to deer antlers. The adult stag beetle is dark reddish-brown with smooth, shiny elytra, and the femora are orange-brown.
Males have much larger jaws than females, which they use to fight with other males as they compete for mating.
Despite their large mouthparts, stag beetles feed on sap and lay fertilized eggs on dead trees or stumps, where the grubs hatch and mature in the rotting wood. They are primarily night dwellers and are generally attracted to light sources at night. The larvae are found in the trunks of old trees, feeding on the inner wood.
American Burying Beetle
The American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus), also known as the “giant carrion beetle,” is a critically endangered species of beetle endemic to North America.
It is the largest carrion beetle in North America, with most adults being 1.2 inches (30 mm) in length, though they vary from 1.0-1.4 inches (25-35mm). The beetle can be easily identified by its distinctive orange-red on shiny black coloration, with one colored mark covering the frons, an upper frontal head plate, and a similarly colored plate existing just behind the head.
The American burying beetle is carnivorous and feeds on carrion, requiring carrion to breed. It is also a member of one of the few genera of beetle to exhibit parental care.
The beetle is active from late April through September and is primarily nocturnal, active when temperatures exceed 15C (60F). The decline of the American burying beetle has been attributed to habitat loss, alteration, and degradation, and they now occur in less than 10% of their historic range.
However, much has been done to understand the life history of the American burying beetle and promote its recovery, including the preparation of a recovery plan by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Goliath Beetle
The Goliath beetle (Goliathus spp.) is not native to the U.S., but it is one of the largest beetles in the world. Goliath beetles can be found in many of Africa’s tropical forests, where they feed primarily on tree sap and fruit.
The Goliath beetle is named after the biblical giant Goliath and is any of the five species in the genus Goliathus. The bulky bodies of Goliath beetles are composed of a thick chitinous exoskeleton, which protects their organs.
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Goliath beetles measure from 60–110 millimeters (2.4–4.3 in) for males and 50–80 millimeters (2.0–3.1 in) for females, as adults, and can reach weights of up to 80–100 grams (2.8–3.5 oz) in the larval stage, though the adults are only about half this weight.
The larvae of Goliath beetles feed on rotting wood in the wild, but in captivity, they have been successfully reared from egg to adult using protein-rich foods such as commercial cat and dog food.
Despite their large size, Goliath beetles are capable fliers and are often found on the forest floor in search of fallen fruits and plant sap.
FAQS
1. What is the largest beetle in the U.S.?
The Hercules beetle (Dynastes tityus) is the largest beetle in the United States and one of the largest insects in the country.
2. What is the second-largest beetle in the U.S.?
The stag beetle (Lucanus capreolus) is the second-largest beetle in the U.S. and can grow up to 2 inches long.
3. What is the American burying beetle?
The American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus), also known as the “giant carrion beetle,” is the largest member of its genus in North America. It is a critically endangered species of beetle endemic to North America.
4. What is the Goliath beetle?
The Goliath beetle (Goliathus spp.) is not native to the U.S., but it is one of the largest beetles in the world.
5. Are these beetles dangerous to humans?
Despite their large size, these beetles are harmless to humans.
6. What do these beetles eat?
The Hercules beetle feeds on decaying wood from various trees. The stag beetle feeds on sap and lays fertilized eggs on dead trees or stumps. The American burying beetle is carnivorous and feeds on carrion. The Goliath beetle feeds primarily on tree sap and fruit.
7. Where can I find these beetles?
The Hercules beetle and stag beetle can be found in the Eastern United States. The American burying beetle is endemic to North America and is now found in less than 10% of its historic range. The Goliath beetle can be found in many of Africa’s tropical forests.
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