Phileurus truncatus
(Palisot de Beauvois, 1806)
Triceratops Beetle
Phileurus truncatus, commonly known as the Triceratops , is a large scarab beetle in the Scarabaeidae. The is named for its distinctive horn-like projections on the and pronotum, which resemble the horns of a triceratops dinosaur. It occurs across the southern United States and extends south through Mexico into Central America. are and frequently attracted to ultraviolet and mercury-vapor lights.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phileurus truncatus: /fəˈlɪərəs trʌŋˈkeɪtəs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from other Phileurus by the combination of a truncated (shortened or abruptly cut off) horn on the and pronotal structure. The "Triceratops " refers to the three horn-like projections: one on the head and two on the pronotum. Large body size and robust build separate it from most other North American scarabs except other dynastine scarabs.
Images
Habitat
Oak and juniper woodlands in mountainous regions; also found in mesquite-acacia scrub at lower elevations.
Distribution
Nearctic region: United States (Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia). Neotropical region: Mexico (Chiapas, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Veracruz), Rica, Honduras, Panama, and Brazil.
Seasonality
active in summer months; has been observed at lights in late July in southeastern Arizona.
Behavior
; has been observed coming to mercury-vapor and ultraviolet lights at night. are capable of .
Human Relevance
Collected by entomologists for scientific study; attracted to artificial lighting used in surveys.