Edward Scissorhands - Phileurus valgus

moved to guide

As others have noted, this is Phileurus sp. - valgus. I have read several papers regarding this type of behaviour in different groups of beetles, but never with an explanation as to why. In your case, I'll assume it was attracted to light, but as with many spp., they prefer to remain hidden - you'll often see this under street lights - beetles will come to the light, but then immediately burrow into the grass or other debris - I guess it picked your ear as a hiding place, OUCH!

… Phillip Harpootlian, 1 May, 2006 - 12:23pm

Scarab beetle.

This is a scarab beetle in the genus Phileurus. We have a scarab expert here who can probably tell you the species, and give as many details as you can handle:-) They are not uncommon in your area. Do get well soon. We appreciate your thoughtful response to what must have been a truly traumatic experience.

… Eric R. Eaton, 28 April, 2006 - 12:48pm

Scarab beetle.

I guess what I would really like to know first is:
Was he/she biting or scatching me when he/she was touched? It sure hurt, and I'm really tolerable to pain, but not that kind.
How can I tell if it is an adult or not?
Can I tell if it is a male or female?
Is it uncommon for my situation to happen?

The experience sure made me take a closer look at nature. Also, it has made me a lot more curious about nature as well.

Thank you for your identification. Also, if possible, I would like to know the species and I can handle all the details you can throw at me. I'm a very curious person and I love to learn.

… Teri Chancey, 28 April, 2006 - 1:00pm

Some thoughts...

I'm sure such occurrences are extremely rare. In ancient England people believed that earwigs burrowed into people's ears at night (wicg was an Old English term for beetle or bug, so earwig originally meant "ear bug"). Of course, they also believed that diseases were caused by elf-arrows and flying serpents.

I think it's safe to say that the beetle had no idea it was burrowing into a living animal, and would have run away if you had moved while it was approaching. It may be that the sleeping pill you took kept you still enough to fool it into thinking it had found a soft, warm place to hide- most people move around quite a bit in their sleep.

… Chuck Entz, 28 April, 2006 - 8:20pm

Hi, Teri:-)

Well, the beetle was digging in with its legs, especially the front legs. Normally, they dig into rotten wood or soil, so they have deep serrations on the edges of their legs to help move them through such a medium with efficiency. It is an adult. Juvenile beetles are larvae or "grubs." Insects do not 'frequently' enter body orifices in living humans, but sleeping exposed outdoors can invite all kinds of trouble that way, I imagine:-) Phileurus are carnivorous, which is very atypical for scarab beetles, most of which prefer dung, or other rotting plant matter. Not that it would eat 'you,' of course! Could be that this is a female and your ear looked like an inviting place to deposit her eggs (which I highly doubt she did given the reception she got)! I'm still waiting for our scarab expert to add comments here, too. Take care, thanks for posting here.

… Eric R. Eaton, 28 April, 2006 - 3:43pm