Dynastes hercules septentrionalis is domiciled in Costa Rica. The adult males range up to 130 mm; females are smalle due the missing horn.
The eggs were laid in the earth. After 32 - 35 days the larvea hatch.
The small larvea (L1) are fed on rotten leaves and humus.
With increasing dimensions of the larvae the are fed on rotten wood.
From larvae with more than 100 gr. enormous beetles are the result; mostly males, as the females are smaller and lighter.
The larvae build a instable cocoon in the humus, where they metamorphose to a pupae.
After two month the adult beetles hatch out of the cocoon. They can be fed easily with overripe banana.
Not all adult males have these huge horns. The dimension of the beetles is dependent by the gens and the feed. You only have the chance to breed really large beetles if you feed them perfectly and if the genes are fitting. out of one clutch you get by equal feeding bigger and smaller beetles, like in real life. Even at human beeings 2 brothers got a different largeness.
Here is a really rare photo of a copulation between a small male and a medium sized female.
Copulation 12.02.2005
egg
Larvae L1 - directly after hatching
Larvae L2 - about 3 month after hatching
Larvae L3 - 106 gr. ; 2years after hatching
female pupae in opened cocoon
two females on overripe banana
small adult male
