Penis prolapse in Gymnetis thula?

[clione]

So, as the title says...one of my Gymnetis thula seems to have his penis stuck outside his body. Is this fatal? At least, the bit stuck outside looks very like the Google results for 'gymnetis genitalia'. Should I "trim" the organ to prevent it catching on anything, or can he still use it for its intended purpose? Has anyone experienced this before? Other than having his bits out when they shouldn't be, he seems okay. I'm pretty sure his penis is supposed to be inside if he isn't mating... Also, could this mean he has successfully mated with his tank-mate? 

By the way, how does one sex adults?

Please advise...these are my first beetles and I raised them from grubs, so I want to help this little guy if I can.  Thank you!

 

[Goliathus]

So, as the title says...one of my Gymnetis thula seems to have his penis stuck outside his body. Is this fatal?

No idea what occasionally causes this problem (prolapse of the aedeagus), but I've seen beetles with such live a normal lifespan afterward.  Sometimes, it eventually corrects itself, but more often, it's a permanent issue.

At least, the bit stuck outside looks very like the Google results for 'gymnetis genitalia'. Should I "trim" the organ to prevent it catching on anything, or can he still use it for its intended purpose?

No - definitely don't do any trimming.  He's likely through with mating, though.

Has anyone experienced this before?

Yes - in various beetle species.

Other than having his bits out when they shouldn't be, he seems okay. I'm pretty sure his penis is supposed to be inside if he isn't mating... Also, could this mean he has successfully mated with his tank-mate? 

It's just something that happens sometimes, especially in Cetoniinae.  As for whether it's an indicator of whether he's actually mated - that's uncertain.  In all the years I've been keeping G. thula, I've only rarely seen them mating.  Clearly though, it happens, as evidenced by the hundreds of larvae I get from them at every generation!

By the way, how does one sex adults?

Somewhat difficult to determine in the case of thula, although, females do tend to be larger.  There may possibly be some difference in the form of the sternites between the sexes, but I'm not sure.  Incidentally, coloration of the sternites in this species is variable, but not related to sex.

 

[clione]

Thank you so much!! It's good to know that he isn't necessarily doomed. The reason I mentioned trimming is because this issue often requires amputation in reptiles, which I'm more experienced with, haha. But, now that I think about it, it seems obvious that beetle anatomy would be a bit different.

By the way, what a wild-looking mating apparatus! I did not expect the claw-tip.

 

[JKim]

How did that happened? Was it outside the body as emergence occurred? Or did it happened after mating with female? while living in your container?

Unless it is deformed male (from emergence) it should be okay, but that may depend on situation. If the genitalia is not deformed by something (like squished), it should go in after a while. If it doesn't that is going to stay like that forever. It usually does not come out unless the male tried to mate. So... probably it did mated with female.