How does the Goliath beetle look like?

This beetle is called a Goliath because of its giantsizes. The inhabitant of Central and South-East Africa, the goliath beetle is indeed of a giant size. The length of the trunk reaches 100-110 mm, width - 60 mm, and even more impressive is the weight of this insect. Males can weigh up to 100 grams, females are much smaller and lighter.

Due to this significant weight, the Goliath beetleclaims the title of the most difficult insect on the planet. Despite its menacing dimensions, it feeds on plant foods: wood juices, overripe fruits, succulent leaves. Beetle Goliath African belongs to the family of Bronzes and is a close relative of the famous May beetle. He is not aggressive, but very strong, it is difficult to keep in his hand.

All the time the Goliath beetle spends under the barktrees. Huge sizes often produce a beetle and are not at all the dignity of adult individuals. With bright colors and huge wings, the Goliath becomes very noticeable. In addition, the insect is very slow, and it takes a long time to take off.

There are individuals of completely different colors. Nature has tried and endowed with the peculiar beauty of the Goliath. Elytra usually painted in black and white stripes of various forms. They rarely repeat even in representatives of one species. The ratio of black and white areas is very variable and depends on the temperature conditions and humidity of the region. In addition, the dark stripes are velvety, and the white ones are glossy. Velvety villi help the beetle easier to transfer heat, and white reflect the direct sunlight. These unique patterns are the object of the desire of collectors.

From the trees the beetle goliath descends during the periodpairing. Horn-like outgrowths on the head of an insect serve as a weapon in the struggle for the female, as well as in defending the right to the territory. In females, such horns have a different shape and are used as a shovel for the construction of a cradle for eggs. After fertilization, the female lays eggs in the ground. She digs the earth with a special shield, located on her head. This helps her to securely hide the future offspring. Immediately after the mission, the female returns to the tree.

Under the ground larvae of beetles will stay for 6 months. There they will grow up, eating plant remains, humus, manure, rotten roots, and eating other larvae. Cannibalism often comes from lack of nutrition during rapid growth, because the adult larva also reaches large sizes - up to 150 mm.

Larvae pupate in the ground and come out alreadyformed and ready for a new life in the crown of trees. Despite their weight, beetles actively fly in the forests of tropical Africa. At the same time, the noise emitted by the wings reminds the crack of a toy helicopter. Habitats are in the jungle of New Guinea, equatorial and South-East Africa. Even huge populations are not harmed by humans. But, nevertheless, beetles are actively caught and resold in private collections. Impressive sizes, attractive colors and an exotic species of insect make the goliath a valuable and desirable exhibit for both museums and individuals.