Phileurus

Latreille, 1807

Species Guides

Phileurus truncatus(Triceratops Beetle)
Phileurus valgus

Phileurus is a of rhinoceros beetles in the Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae, tribe Phileurini. The genus contains more than 20 described and is primarily Neotropical in distribution, with only two species extending north into the United States. The most widespread North American species, P. valgus, ranges from the southern United States to Argentina and the West Indies.

Phileurus valgus by (c) John P Friel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John P Friel. Used under a CC-BY license.

Phileurus valgus by (c) Annika Lindqvist, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Annika Lindqvist. Used under a CC-BY license.

Phileurus valgus by (c) Gordon C. Snelling, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Gordon C. Snelling. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phileurus: /fɪˈlɛʊrəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution

Primarily Neotropical. Two range north into the United States, with P. valgus occurring broadly in the eastern United States. The extends from the southern United States through Central and South America to Argentina and the West Indies.

Similar Taxa

Odontotaenius disjunctusPhileurus , particularly P. valgus, are sometimes mistaken for bess beetles due to their flattened, parallel-sided body form. However, true bess beetles stridulate to produce a 'kissing' sound when handled, a not observed in Phileurus despite the presence of structures that could potentially be used for sound production.

More Details

Taxonomic placement

Phileurus belongs to the tribe Phileurini within the Dynastinae. Unlike many dynastine scarabs, members of this are not large, heavy-bodied beetles with prominent horns. Instead, they exhibit a more flattened, parallel-sided body form that has led to confusion with unrelated .

Immature stages

The pupa and third instar larva of P. valgus have been described and illustrated based on specimens from Argentina. An updated key to known third-stage larvae of New World Phileurini is available.