my-server
← Wiki

Xylotrupes meridionalis

Xylotrupes meridionalis, commonly known as forked horns rhinoceros beetle, is a species of rhinoceros beetle found in India and Sri Lanka.

Description

Male has prolonged anterior legs whereas female has normal anterior legs. Basal joints of posterior tarsi are cylindrical in shape. Propygidium lack a stridulatory area. Male has a single thoracic horn. Elytra coriaceous. Male has large tambour shaped phallobase. Adult beetles feed on young bark, seedlings, shoots, and twigs. Host plants included: Acacia mearnsii, Hevea brasiliensis and Toona australis.

Subspecies

Two subspecies recognized.

  • Xylotrupes meridionalis meridionalis <small>Prell, 1914</small> – India
  • Xylotrupes meridionalis taprobanes <small>Prell, 1914</small> – Sri Lanka

References