Several notable rhinoceros beetle species exist, many belonging to the subfamily Dynastinae. Here are some key species:
Book novelties:
Prioninae of the World I.
Cerambycidae of the Western Paleartic I.
Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Allomyrina dichotoma or Trypoxylus dichotomus)
Rhino beetle species
One of the best-known rhinoceros beetles, native to East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia). Males have a prominent Y-shaped horn used in combat for mates. It is culturally significant in Japan and widely studied for sexual selection and horn development. There are multiple subspecies with regional variations in size, horn shape, and color.
Atlas beetle (Chalcosoma atlas)
A large rhinoceros beetle native to Southeast Asia, males have three large horns on the head and thorax.
Common rhinoceros beetle (Xylotrupes ulysses)
Found in parts of Asia and the Pacific, males have large curved horns and are known for their strength.
Elephant beetle (Megasoma elephas)
Native to Central and South America, one of the largest beetles in the world, with males sporting large horns.
Eastern Hercules beetle (Dynastes tityus)
Native to eastern North America, males have a large horn and are among the largest beetles in the U.S.
Japanese rhinoceros beetle subspecies include:
A. d. dichotoma (mainland China, Korea)
A. d. inchachina (Kume Island)
A. d. septentrionalis (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu)
A. d. takarai (Okinawa)
A. d. tunobosonis (Taiwan)
A. d. politus (Thailand)
A. d. tsuchiyai (Kuchinoerabu Island)
A. d. shizuae (Yakushima Island, Tanegashima Island).
These beetles are characterized by their large size, impressive horns (mostly in males), and wood or sap-feeding habits. They are popular in entomology and pet trade, and some species are important models for studying sexual selection and evolutionary biology.
In summary, rhinoceros beetle species include the Japanese rhinoceros beetle (Allomyrina dichotoma/Trypoxylus dichotomus), Atlas beetle, common rhinoceros beetle, elephant beetle, and Eastern Hercules beetle, among others, with many subspecies and regional variants especially in Asia.
