The Goliath Beetle is one of the largest and heaviest beetles around. Mainly feeding on fruit and sap in the wild, they can be mainly found in the tropics of Africa. They are from the subfamily Cetoniinae, within the scarab beetle family.
Habitat and Food
A hearty species, the Goliath Beetle is mainly found in the tropics of Africa. They generally feed on dead plant matter, sap, fruit, sugary foods and dung. They have sharp claws to penetrate and pierce stems and vines, to access the sap. Beetles, in captivity, do well on protein rich foods, such as dog or cat food. They are tremendously strong beetles and can carry many times their weight on their backs. Skilled climbers and flyers, they have a helicopter-like sound when airborne.
Morphology
These beetles have been known to grow up to four and a half inches long. Males have a horn on their head used to battle other males, whereby females lack this piece of anatomy. Although usually black and white, they do come in a variety of colors including brown and yellow.
All Goliath beetles have black and white vertical lines on their shield protecting the thorax and possess two pairs of wings. The first set protects the second wing during flight. They have six pairs of legs, each having a claw at the end. Scent detectors are on their eyes as well as their antennae. They have an excellent sense of smell and good eyesight.
Lifecycle
Early in the rainy season, Goliath beetles lay their eggs in the soil. Due to their massive size, the larvae that form will take several months to mature. Unlike other scarabs, these larvae eat foods that have a higher concentration of protein than others. The larvae usually feed on a leaf and wood substrate. They can reach a length of 150 millimeters and weigh as much as 100 grams before going on to pupation.
The second pupal stage begins when the larvae constructs a cocoon-like structure, within the hardened sandy soil, where it will undergo a form of metamorphosis. During this stage, the tissues of the insect are broken down and restructured to form a beetle. Once complete, the beetle will hibernate until the start of the rainy season, where it will locate a potential mate and start the entire lifecycle process anew.
Goliath Beetles are the largest beetles and one of the largest insects in the world. Found mainly in Africa, their purpose is to recycle dead matter and help to keep the earth clean. A hearty species, they do well in both the wild and in captivity.
References:
http://www.naturalworlds.org/goliathus/index.htm
