Jump to content

Strategus aloeus: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
 
(34 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Species of beetle}}
{{Taxobox
{{Speciesbox
| name = Ox Beetle
| image = BugMacro.jpg
| image = Strategus aloeus Ox Beetle.JPG
| image_caption = Male ''Strategus aloeus''
| image_width = 275px
| taxon = Strategus aloeus
| image_caption = Ox Beetle (adult female). Expand for a detailed view.
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
| classis = [[Insect]]a
| ordo = [[Coleoptera]]
| familia = [[Scarabaeidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Dynastinae]]
| genus = ''[[Strategus (genus)|Strategus]]''
| species = '''''S. aloeus'''''
| binomial = ''Strategus aloeus''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758
}}
}}
{{wikispecies|Strategus aloeus|Ox beetle}}
The '''ox beetle''' (''Strategus aloeus'') is a type of [[rhinoceros beetle]]. The "major" males of this species have three large horns on the thorax, resembling the [[triceratops]]. The "minor" males have horns as well, but the two back ones are small and stubby. Female ox beetles have no horns.


'''''Strategus aloeus''''', the '''ox beetle''', is a species of [[rhinoceros beetle]] native to the [[Americas]].
==References==


== Description ==
*Coin, Patrick and Phillip Harpootlian. "Species ''Strategus aloeus''". Online: http://bugguide.net/node/view/6278. July 29, 2006.Jackie Rules!
The "major" males of this species have three large horns on their thoraces, resembling ''[[Triceratops]]''. The "minor" males have horns, as well, but the two back ones are small and the frontal horn is much shorter than the horn in major males. The female ox beetle has a very short horn which has little use in fighting, but is used for digging in the ground. These beetles grow to about {{convert|1.0|to|1.5|in|cm|abbr=on}} long as adults when the horns are excluded in the males.

== Distribution ==
Although this species occurs in the southern United States, its populations are much higher in the [[Neotropical realm]], throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and parts of South America.

== Breeding ==
The larvae of this species feed on roots in the ground, while the adults feed on flowers and all sorts of fruit. The larvae take around four to six months to reach the pupal stage. The pupal stage can be shortened in captivity by placing the pupae in a warm area. The adults are active from May to November, and during this time both males and females try to mate. These beetles are very common near lights in the summer and can be collected in large numbers in some areas. Their larvae are sometimes considered a pest because they can damage lawns and gardens by feeding on the roots.

<gallery>
File:Strategus aloeus 7 sjh.jpg|Ox beetle (male left, female right)
File:Strategus aloeus male 3 sjh.jpg|Adult male
File:Strategus aloeus female 3 sjh.jpg|Adult female
</gallery>

==References==
*Coin, Patrick and Phillip Harpootlian. "Species ''Strategus aloeus''". Online: http://bugguide.net/node/view/6278. July 29, 2006.


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons|Strategus aloeus|''Strategus aloeus''}}
{{Wikispecies|Strategus aloeus|Strategus aloeus}}
*[http://beetlespace.wz.cz/e_Strategus_aloeus_julianus.html Strategus aloeus] photos at Beetlespace.wz.cz
*[http://bugguide.net/node/view/6278 Strategus aloeus] photos at BugGuide
*[http://bugguide.net/node/view/6278 Strategus aloeus] photos at BugGuide
*[http://www.goliathus.com/en/en-strategus-aloeus.html Strategus aloeus] and other [http://www.goliathus.com/en/en-strategus-sp-bolivia.html Strategus sp.] (probably also aloeus) photos at Goliathus.com
*[http://www.goliathus.com/en/en-strategus-aloeus.html Strategus aloeus] photos at Goliathus.com

{{Taxonbar|from=Q7621878}}

[[Category:Dynastinae]]
[[Category:Beetles of North America]]
[[Category:Beetles of South America]]
[[Category:Arthropods of Colombia]]
[[Category:Beetles described in 1758]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]


{{beetle-stub}}


{{Dynastinae-stub}}
[[Category:Scarabaeidae]]Jackie Rules!

Latest revision as of 20:28, 12 January 2024

Strategus aloeus
Male Strategus aloeus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Genus: Strategus
Species:
S. aloeus
Binomial name
Strategus aloeus

Strategus aloeus, the ox beetle, is a species of rhinoceros beetle native to the Americas.

Description

[edit]

The "major" males of this species have three large horns on their thoraces, resembling Triceratops. The "minor" males have horns, as well, but the two back ones are small and the frontal horn is much shorter than the horn in major males. The female ox beetle has a very short horn which has little use in fighting, but is used for digging in the ground. These beetles grow to about 1.0 to 1.5 in (2.5 to 3.8 cm) long as adults when the horns are excluded in the males.

Distribution

[edit]

Although this species occurs in the southern United States, its populations are much higher in the Neotropical realm, throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and parts of South America.

Breeding

[edit]

The larvae of this species feed on roots in the ground, while the adults feed on flowers and all sorts of fruit. The larvae take around four to six months to reach the pupal stage. The pupal stage can be shortened in captivity by placing the pupae in a warm area. The adults are active from May to November, and during this time both males and females try to mate. These beetles are very common near lights in the summer and can be collected in large numbers in some areas. Their larvae are sometimes considered a pest because they can damage lawns and gardens by feeding on the roots.

References

[edit]
[edit]