AlexW Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Found this sitting on a palm stump on a beach while on vacation in Mexico. After trying to pry it off the stump and then have it cling so tightly to my hand it left red marks, I now know what Orin is referring to when the Ultimate Guide says "Dynastes Tityus hangs on tightly with claws". Ouch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goliathus Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Based on the size and locality, Megasoma elephas, most likely. Was it found on the Yucatan Peninsula? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexW Posted December 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 No, it was in Puerto Vallarta on the Mexican mainland. Elephas seems a bit too hairy on Google, perhaps it is something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goliathus Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 Over time, the hairs of elephas become worn off from abrasion, leaving the elytra darker and more shiny. This typically happens faster in females (since they dig through rotten wood to lay eggs). I'm pretty sure this is elephas, as the species is known to occur in the forests around Puerto Vallarta. Here's a video of a male found there - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhU7j4tPCJw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satanas Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 the hairs may have rubbed off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexW Posted December 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 Thanks, I am quite sure it is elephas now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbugs Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 I think this one is a Megasoma occidntalis. The known distribution of M. elephas does not cover Puerto Vallarta, but M. occidentalis does. I believe that the male beetle shown in the video is a M. occidentalis too, because of the angle/direction of how the thoracic horns protrudes. These two species are very similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.