Immature stages of rhinoceros beetles

HORNED BEETLES: Nature's Six-Legged Knights in Armor

Immature stages of rhinoceros beetles

Larvae of all rhinoceros beetles look similar, making species identification very difficult if you don't know what you have; color and texture of the head, and body size are the most easily recognizable differences between species.
It's when they become pupae and take on the shape of the adult that identification of the species can be made (note: this applies mainly to males, because females of all rhino beetles tend to look the same--like giant june beetles).

Dynastes hercules

Grubs in rearing tank

A rhino beetle grub in a log

Closeup of grub in log

Above: Typical rhinoceros beetle larvae, or grubs

Below: Pupae of rhinoceros beetle (these are male Allomyrina dichotomus)

Manny, Moe & Jack: pupae of rhinoceros beetle

Beetle grubs may be in this log

Larvae of rhinoceros beetles feed on moist decayed wood
or decaying plant material.
LEFT: Mature larva (L3) of a hercules beetle

BOTTOM LEFT: Larvae of Dynastes granti,
found in a log near Payson, Arizona

BELOW, TOP: Male and female pupae of Dynastes granti
BELOW, BOTTOM: Pupa of male Dynastes hercules

Dynastes granti pupae

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