Rhino Beetle? - Phanaeus triangularis

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Photo#1859705

Copyright © 2020 dan40165

Rhino Beetle? - Phanaeus triangularis

Bullitt County, Kentucky, USA
July 20, 2020

This beetle was stuck in a ball of spiderweb on out garage floor - just barely able to move. I picked it up and started pulling stuff off very carefully to reveal the beetle under it all. Wasn't until I cleaned it up some more and started taking its picture that I noticed how "neat" it was. Grandson wanted to keep it as a pet but we didn't think it would do well in captivity. Didn't know what they eat. Which Rhino? couldn't seem to find close match for color or shield and horn characteristics. In the right light it was a beautiful purple color.

Images of this individual: tag all

Contributed by dan40165 on 20 July, 2020 - 8:20pm
Last updated 21 July, 2020 - 5:53am

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Blaine Mathison, 21 July, 2020 - 5:53am

Could be a Phanaeus triangula

Could be a Phanaeus triangularis minor male (color described as "coppery"). P. adonis is blue-ish and has a more southerly range.

… David Schlachter, 20 July, 2020 - 9:25pm

P. triangularis triangularis minor male

P. triangularis triangularis minor male looks right. Posted a picture back in April 2016 that was id'd as a female P. triangularis triangularis. She was much bigger! Are the males much smaller? or only the "minor" males?
The color (purple) and form match pretty closely to the one (major male) from West Virginia that was noted to be a significant range extension, could it be another subspecies?

… dan40165, 20 July, 2020 - 11:05pm

Rainbo Scarab?

Looks like Adonis? Will post a couple more pics - looks like they might be needed...

… dan40165, 20 July, 2020 - 9:03pm

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