Goliath beetle

Description

Goliathus goliatus is a species of beetles of the family Scarabaeidae. Goliathus goliatus is one of the largest species in the genus Goliathus, males having a body length of 50-110 millimetres (2.0-4.3 in) and females having a body length of 54-80 millimetres (2.1-3.1 in). The pronotum (thoracic shield) is mainly black, with whitish longitudinal stripes, while elytra are usually dark brown. This pattern may differ greatly in some of the many color forms. This species possess a large and membranous secondary pair of wings actually used for flying. When not in use, they are kept completely folded beneath the elytra. The head is whitish, with a black Y-shaped horn in males, used as a pry bar in battles with other males over feeding sites or mates. These beetles feed primarily on tree sap and fruits. This species is widespread from western to eastern equatorial Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Western Kenya and Northwestern Tanzania). Goliathus goliatus is mainly present in the equatorial forests and in the sub-equatorial savannah. On January 1, 1959, a species from Gabon, believed to be the first such beetle seen alive in the United States, went on display at the American Museum of Natural History. The Goliath beetles (named after the biblical giant Goliath) are any of the five species in the genus Goliathus. Goliath beetles are among the largest insects on Earth, if measured in terms of size, bulk and weight. They are members of subfamily Cetoniinae, within the family Scarabaeidae. Goliath beetles can be found in many of Africa's tropical forests, where they feed primarily on tree sap and fruit. Little appears to be known of the larval cycle in the wild, but in captivity, Goliathus beetles have been successfully reared from egg to adult using protein-rich foods such as commercial cat and dog food. Goliath beetles measure from 60-110 millimetres (2.4-4.3 in) for males and 50-80 millimetres (2.0–3.1 in) for females, as adults, and can reach weights of up to 80-100 grams (2.8-3.5 oz) in the larval stage, though the adults are only about half this weight. The females range from a dark chestnut brown to silky white, but the males are normally brown/white/black or black/white.