Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Scarabaeoidea » Scarab Beetles (Scarabaeidae) » Rhinoceros Beetles (Dynastinae) » Phileurini » Phileurus » Triceratops Beetle (Phileurus truncatus)

Species Phileurus truncatus - Triceratops Beetle

Beetles & Pupae - Phileurus truncatus Bat Faced Beetle. he he. - Phileurus truncatus Triceratops beetle - Phileurus truncatus Triceratops Beetle - Phileurus truncatus beetle - Phileurus truncatus Phileurus truncatus Male, Phileurus truncatus? - Phileurus truncatus - male Phileurus truncatus, Triceratops Beetle ? - Phileurus truncatus
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Polyphaga
Superfamily Scarabaeoidea
Family Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)
Subfamily Dynastinae (Rhinoceros Beetles)
Tribe Phileurini
Genus Phileurus
Species truncatus (Triceratops Beetle)
Other Common Names
Loving Scarab, Double-horned Rhino Beetle
Explanation of Names
Phileurus truncatus (Palisot de Beauvois 1806)
Size
32–38 mm(1)
Range
so. US (VA–FL to OK–AZ)(1) to S. America –map(2)
Habitat
Woodlands. Adults have been reported causing cabin fires by coming down chimneys, presumably attracted to fireplace smoke and spreading embers.
Season
Apr-Sep in SC(3), Jul-Sep in NC(4)
Food
Adults will take fruit and meat in captivity; may feed on other insects
Life Cycle
Adults come to lights. Larvae in rotten logs, esp. oaks. Adults can live up to two years in captivity. Have structures for sound production (stridulation)(5) and stridulate softly when handled (P. Coin, 11.vii.2007).
Larvae and adults are also "carnivorous" and will - if not preferentially - feed on grubs & pupae of other scarabs
Works Cited
1.Beetles of Eastern North America
Arthur V. Evans. 2014. Princeton University Press.
2.Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
3.Scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of South Carolina
Phillip J. Harpootlian. 2001. Clemson University Public Service.
4.Insects of North Carolina
C.S. Brimley. 1938. North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
5.Insects of the Texas Lost Pines (W.L. Moody, Jr., Natural History Series, No. 33)
Stephen W. Taber, Scott B. Fleenor. 2003. M University Press.
Contributed by Cotinis on 8 July, 2004 - 1:15pm
Additional contributions by Phillip Harpootlian, Mike Quinn, v belov, Bill Reynolds
Last updated 12 August, 2023 - 1:28pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo