Rhinoceros beetles: lifestyle features, what can eat and human impact on its population

Insects are a very diverse and numerous class of the animal world, numbering many species. Its representatives inhabit a variety of habitats, occur in different climatic conditions, differ in shape and size, lead different lifestyles. There are very curious individuals that have long attracted the attention of man and came from the depths of centuries. Among them there are species that have long been studied by science, as well as recently discovered ones. The order of beetles, or in other words, the order of beetles, has always been under the scrutiny of the scientific world.

Of course, the rhinoceros beetle deserves special attention. His unusual appearance endows it in the eyes of a person with mystical properties, which is facilitated by the nocturnal lifestyle of this beetle.

The rhinoceros beetle is a name given to more than one species of insects. They are united by the so-called horn.

These include types such as:

• beetle-hercules;
• North American rhinoceros beetle;
• palm rhinoceros beetle;
• elephant beetle;
• the common rhinoceros beetle most familiar to us;
• Asian rhinoceros beetle;
• and many other very amazing species of beetles.

How to meet the “rhinoceros”?

Where can you find these beetles. It is worth noting that they are found everywhere, prefers forests, forest-steppes and steppes. They, according to scientists, are very unpretentious to environmental conditions. This contributed to the spread of rhinoceros beetles. They can be found in any corner of Eurasia. In conditions of extremely low temperatures, it is impossible to meet him – the tundra and taiga were left without the attention of the rhinoceros.

Unfortunately, the deterioration of the ecological situation in many countries, including Russia, has adversely affected the number of rhinos. Plowing of the steppes and deforestation destroy the habitat of rhinos. Zhukov was listed in the Red Book. They are now protected by the state and the law.

Features of the rhinoceros beetle

Anyone who meets this insect will definitely notice its inherent features.

These include:

• rhinoceros horn, most developed in large subspecies;
• the amazing maneuverability of these beetles in flight, which sometimes causes great surprise among the townsfolk;
• a hard outer chitinous skeleton with a bright sheen, characteristic of all insects;
• the incredible strength and power of an insect capable of lifting weights equal to half its own weight;
• semiconductor properties of small sections of the beetle’s horn;
• very diverse colors in different subspecies;
• various sizes, large enough;
• females are significantly larger than males.

There is an opinion that these insects are able to take care of their growing offspring. This happened because female lays eggs only in secluded hard-to-reach places. Scientists say that this is not true.

An interesting fact is that the horn of the rhinoceros beetle is a special organ. The opinions of entomologists regarding the horn are very different. There are opinions that it serves for defense and attack. Others believe that it is a prototype of the primitive vestibular apparatus, which serves for orientation in space with the help of small hairs that cover its surface. Yes, and its forms in different subspecies of beetles are different.

Many scientists argue that there is no need for such an extensive classification of rhinos. That it is very conditional and needs more careful study.

The lifestyle of rhinos or what they eat

The rhinoceros beetle, like the insects themselves, has been little studied, causing a lot of speculation and conflicting statements. Most of the controversy arises when discussing and studying the nutrition of these amazing beetles. Despite their imposing and menacing appearance, these beetles are pretty peaceful creatures and are not predators. What are the hypotheses about his diet. It uses the reserves of nutrients that were accumulated by the body during the larval stage. This is supported by the underdeveloped organs of the digestive system. It feeds on soft liquid food, mostly of plant origin. It can be the juice of various plants.

It is known that rhinoceros beetles are insects with a complex transformation, having several stages in their development, which differ markedly in morphological and physiological features.

Beetle development stages:

• egg stage;
• larval stage;
• pupal stage;
• an adult.

Each phase of development has its own characteristics. The female beetle lays her eggs in secluded places, protecting them from adverse environmental factors.

After this stage, a larva emerges from the egg. This is the longest stage in the development of an insect. It continues for four years. Everyone who has anything to do with agriculture is very familiar with very voracious and tenacious pests. Yes exactly Rhinoceros larva can cause colossal harm crops. This property of the larva is by no means conducive to the preservation of this species of representative of beetles.

After three molts, the larva becomes a pupa, and later you can see an adult insect.

Rhinos have natural enemies. These are birds that love to eat the larvae of these insects, contributing to their destruction, as well as mites, various microorganisms that settle in the body of larvae, pupae, and even adults, opponents of these numerous subspecies of beetles. But the most dangerous and insidious enemy of rhinos is manmindlessly destroying natural landscapes, leading to a decrease in species diversity on Earth. This fact needs the closest attention from both scientists, the state and ordinary people. It is people who, breaking into the natural conditions of many species, breaking complex food chains, undermine the fragile and so diverse life on planet Earth.

Rhinoceros beetle and its relationship with humans

Unfortunately, very little is known about the life of these beetles. Paradox: these insects are very common, but little has been studied. A lot of stories, documentaries and scientific-educational films have been shot about them, a huge number of articles and monographs have been written. But there is still no significant progress in the study of these amazing insects.

Rhinos even became the heroes of some animated filmssometimes they play the leading roles. As you can see, rhinos are of great interest. The study of these subspecies will help shed light on the life and physiology of these beetles, contributing to their more effective defense.

Some cultures tend to deify these insects. Mythology endowed them with an aura of mystery, power and strength. Years, centuries and centuries passed, and the beetles both led their mysterious nocturnal lifestyle and continue to follow it. During the day, rhinos lead a sedentary lifestyle.

There are lovers of these rhinos who are ready to keep them at home. In the pet store, they can be found infrequently and the prices for them can be quite significant. It depends on the subspecies of the beetle, its size and gender. As a rule, they buy males. Their appearance is more spectacular, although they are smaller in size compared to the female. Even the high price is not an obstacle to the difficulty in acquiring a rhinoceros for their owners. Many people want to touch the world of mysteries and secrets.

The role of this beetle in art and creativity is noteworthy. It can be seen on the covers of a large number of scientific books and magazines. Rhinos from the world of insects in modern times – it is a symbol of science, its fundamentality and stability, a symbol of scientific discoveries and accomplishments.

You can often find figurines, sculptures of this beetle, made of various materials and various techniques and directions. They can refer to different historical periods – from ancient times to the present. It is also found on postcards, posters and even postage stamps.