Rhinoceros-beetle
Guides
Anoplognatho
Anoplognatho is a monotypic genus of rhinoceros beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, containing the single described species A. dunnianus. The genus was established by Rivers in 1889. As a member of the subfamily Dynastinae, it belongs to the group of scarab beetles commonly known for enlarged head or thoracic horns in males.
Anoplognatho dunnianus
Anoplognatho dunnianus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is the sole described species in the genus Anoplognatho. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Aphonus castaneus
Aphonus castaneus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It belongs to the subfamily Dynastinae, a group known for species with prominent horns or tubercles. The species is distributed across eastern North America, from Quebec southward through the eastern United States. Records indicate it has been collected in 18 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Aphonus texanus
Aphonus texanus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Gill and Howden in 1985. It belongs to the subfamily Dynastinae, which includes the well-known rhinoceros and Hercules beetles. The species is native to the south-central United States.
Aphonus variolosus
Aphonus variolosus is a small rhinoceros beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae, described by John LeConte in 1847. It belongs to the tribe Pentodontini, a group characterized by reduced or absent horns in both sexes. The species is recorded from the southeastern United States.
Archophileurus cribrosus
Archophileurus cribrosus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species belongs to the tribe Phileurini, a group characterized by distinctive morphological features. It has been documented across multiple states and Mexican states, primarily in arid and semi-arid regions.
Coscinocephalus
Coscinocephalus is a genus of rhinoceros beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Prell in 1936. The genus comprises at least two described species: Coscinocephalus cribrifrons, described by Schaeffer in 1906, and Coscinocephalus tepehuanus, described by Morón & Ratcliffe in 1996. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Dynastinae and tribe Pentodontini, placing them among the smaller rhinoceros beetles.
Coscinocephalus cribrifrons
Coscinocephalus cribrifrons is a rhinoceros beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1906. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other dynastine beetles, it possesses enlarged cephalic or thoracic horns, though specific horn morphology for this species is not well documented.
Cyclocephala longula
Cyclocephala longula is a rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. It is a member of the masked chafer group, characterized by adults with a distinctive dark facial marking. The species is native to western North America, ranging from Canada through the western United States into northern Mexico. Like other Cyclocephala species, the larvae are white grubs that feed on plant roots, though specific life history details for this species remain poorly documented.
Cyclocephala lunulata
masked chafer
Cyclocephala lunulata is a rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, widely distributed across the Americas from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America to South America. Adults are attracted to volatile organic compounds produced by bacteria (VOCsB) isolated from their genital chambers, with both sexes responding to bacterial volatiles from Morganella morganii. The species is a documented agricultural pest of strawberry, guava, and ornamental pastures.
Cyclocephala pasadenae
Southwestern Masked Chafer, Pasadena Masked Chafer
Cyclocephala pasadenae, commonly known as the southwestern masked chafer or Pasadena masked chafer, is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. Native to southwestern North America, it is one of several masked chafer species whose larvae are significant pests of turfgrass. The species is tan or auburn in color, approximately 13 mm in length, with some patterning on the elytra. Along with its congener Cyclocephala hirta, it is locally abundant in the Los Angeles basin.
Dynastes grantii
Grant's Hercules Beetle, Western Hercules Beetle
Dynastes grantii is a large rhinoceros beetle native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adult males possess prominent thoracic horns used in combat, while females lack horns entirely. The species exhibits distinctive grayish-white elytra often marked with irregular black spots. With a body length ranging from 3.5 to 6.0 cm, it is among the largest beetles in its range. The species has a prolonged life cycle, with larvae requiring approximately two years to develop before pupation.
Dynastes tityus
Eastern Hercules beetle, elephant beetle, ox beetle
Dynastes tityus, the eastern Hercules beetle, is among the largest and heaviest beetles in the United States. Males possess prominent thoracic and cephalic horns used in combat with rival males for access to mates. The species exhibits remarkable humidity-dependent color change in its elytra, shifting from green-gray-tan to deep brown when moisture is absorbed. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. The complete life cycle may extend up to three years in the wild, with larvae developing in decaying wood within tree cavities.
Dyscinetus picipes
Dyscinetus picipes is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. It belongs to the tribe Cyclocephalini, a group of scarab beetles commonly known as rhinoceros beetles. The species has been recorded across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with distribution spanning the south-central and southwestern United States, Mexico, and various Caribbean islands. Available information on this species is limited, with few detailed biological studies published.
Hemiphileurus illatus
Lesser Triceratops Beetle
Hemiphileurus illatus is a rhinoceros beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae, known as the lesser triceratops beetle. Adults are black, 19–25 mm long, with a pitted exoskeleton and two cephalic horns—smaller in females. Unlike its congener Phileurus truncatus, it lacks a third horn. The species is native to the southwestern United States and is attracted to UV light.
Ligyrus gibbosus
Carrot beetle
Ligyrus gibbosus, commonly known as the carrot beetle, is a rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. Adults measure 13–17 mm and are dark reddish-brown to black. The species feeds on roots, grasses, and decaying vegetation in soil, and is recognized as a pest of sunflowers and other crops. Formerly classified under the genus Tomarus, it was reclassified to Ligyrus in a 2022 taxonomic revision.
Ligyrus peninsularis
Ligyrus peninsularis is a scarab beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles), described by Casey in 1915. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Baja California region of Mexico. Like other members of the genus, it is likely associated with sandy or loose soil habitats where larvae develop. Adult activity patterns and specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented in published literature.
Ligyrus relictus
Relict Rhinoceros Beetle
Ligyrus relictus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is widely distributed across North America, with records from much of the United States and southern Canada. The species has been documented in 585 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is relatively well-encountered by naturalists. Common name: Relict Rhinoceros Beetle.
Ligyrus ruginasus
Ligyrus ruginasus is a scarab beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles), described by LeConte in 1856. It belongs to a genus of relatively small dynastines that lack the prominent horns seen in larger relatives. The species is distributed across arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Megasoma punctulatum
Arizona elephant beetle
Megasoma punctulatum, commonly known as the Arizona elephant beetle, is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is a member of the genus Megasoma, which includes some of the largest and heaviest beetles in the Americas. Like other members of its genus, this species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism, with males bearing prominent horns on the head and pronotum that are used in combat with other males. The species is found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Megasoma sleeperi
Sleeper's Elephant Beetle
Megasoma sleeperi is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is endemic to the Algodones Dunes of southeastern California and adjacent areas of southwestern Arizona and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Megasoma, it is among the largest beetles in North America. Males possess prominent horns used in combat with other males. The species was described by Hardy in 1972 and is named in honor of collector R. C. Sleeper.
Megasoma vogti
Texas elephant beetle, Texas megasoma
Megasoma vogti is a large rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as the Texas elephant beetle. It belongs to a genus renowned for containing some of the heaviest-bodied beetles in the world. The species is native to southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, where adults are attracted to lights at night. Like other members of the genus, males possess prominent horns used in combat with rival males.
Orizabus pinalicus
Orizabus pinalicus is a rhinoceros beetle described in 2011 from the southwestern United States. It belongs to the genus Orizabus, a group of relatively small dynastine scarabs. The species is known from limited records in Arizona and Texas.
Orizabus pyriformis
Orizabus pyriformis is a rhinoceros beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae. It occurs in the southwestern United States and central Mexico. The species was originally described as Bothynus pyriformis by John Lawrence LeConte in 1847.
Phileurus
Phileurus is a genus of rhinoceros beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae, tribe Phileurini. The genus contains more than 20 described species 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
Phileurus valgus is a small dynastine scarab beetle in the tribe Phileurini, distributed from the southern United States through Central America and into South America. Adults are attracted to lights and have been found under bark of decaying wood. Larvae develop in rotting wood cavities. The species is sometimes mistaken for bess beetles (Passalidae) due to its flattened, parallel-sided body form.
Strategus
Ox Beetles
Strategus is a genus of rhinoceros beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as ox beetles. The genus is widespread in the Americas, ranging from Kansas southward through South America. Species in this genus are notable for their large size and prominent horns, particularly in males. Some species, such as S. aloeus, are significant agricultural pests of oil palm plantations in Latin America, where they reproduce in decomposing organic matter from replanting operations.
Strategus aloeus
ox beetle, Aloeus ox beetle
Strategus aloeus is a large rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, native to the Americas. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism and male polymorphism, with "major" males possessing three prominent thoracic horns resembling Triceratops, while "minor" males have reduced horns and females bear only a small horn used for digging. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. The species has been documented as a significant pest of young oil palm crops in Latin America, where population dynamics are strongly influenced by plantation management practices.
Strategus antaeus
ox beetle, smooth ox beetle
Strategus antaeus, commonly known as the ox beetle or smooth ox beetle, is a large rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is the second largest beetle in eastern North America. The species occurs in xeric sand prairie remnants and is associated with oak trees, particularly Quercus marilandica (post oak). Live individuals are rarely encountered; carcass remnants are typically found at the base of host trees.
Strategus cessus
rhinoceros beetle
Strategus cessus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. It belongs to a genus of large, horned scarabs found in the Americas. The species has been documented from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Strategus mormon
Strategus mormon is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. It is a large scarab beetle native to the south-central United States. Like other members of its genus, males possess prominent cephalic and pronotal horns used in combat with other males. The species is primarily nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Strategus splendens
Splendid Ox Beetle
Strategus splendens is a large scarab beetle commonly known as the Splendid Ox Beetle. It belongs to the rhinoceros beetle subfamily Dynastinae, characterized by prominent horns in males. The species occurs in the southeastern United States, where it has been documented in sandy habitats and associated with oak woodlands. Adults are attracted to lights and are active during summer months.
Xyloryctes jamaicensis
Eastern Rhinoceros Beetle, Rhinoceros Beetle, Unicorn Beetle
Xyloryctes jamaicensis, commonly called the Eastern Rhinoceros Beetle or Unicorn Beetle, is a medium-sized rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. Males possess a prominent horn projecting from the head, used in combat with other males. The species is native to eastern and central North America, ranging from southern Canada through the eastern United States and into Mexico. Adults are nocturnal and frequently attracted to lights.
Xyloryctes thestalus
Western Rhinoceros Beetle
Xyloryctes thestalus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as the Western Rhinoceros Beetle. Males possess prominent horns on the head and pronotum, a characteristic feature of the Dynastinae subfamily. The species is nocturnal and strongly attracted to lights, often appearing in large numbers at ultraviolet and mercury vapor light setups. It occurs across the southwestern United States and Mexico, with two recognized subspecies: X. t. thestalus and X. t. borealis.