Dynastes tityus
Drees, Texas A&M University Department of Entomology
The Eastern Hercules
Beetle is the largest beetle in the United States. They grow
over two inches long. Males, slightly larger
than females, are olive green in color with patterns of
brown spots. Males also have a pair of "horns" extending
from the front of their heads.
Females are greenish brown and have no horns. Hercules beetles live in
shady areas with lots of plants. Copyright, Tom
Shohara Copyright, Henry H. and
Catherine C. Hartley Copyright, Henry H. and
Catherine C. Hartley After mating, the female
beetles pack bits of decaying
wood into a pile. She then sticks her ovipositor
into the pile and lays an egg. Usually this is in a stump,
log, or dead tree. The egg hatches in three
to four months, and a larva
immediately starts to feed on the dead wood where it is
born. It eats and grows for about eight months. Copyright, Oldrich
Jahn
