Eastern Hercules Beetle (Dynastes tityus) Adult

Description

Adult Eastern Hercules Beetles (Dynastes tityus). This US native beetle is one of the largest species in the country! Males sport impressive horns used primarily for digging and sparring with other males, while female beetles lack the pronounced horns and are more suited to burrowing into the dirt for laying eggs. These beetles do not bite or sting, but possess sharp claws on each leg for gripping and climbing. They are capable of flight but do not fly often in captivity and are generally poor flyers.

Care is straightforward. A small terrarium is suitable for a single beetle, provided it has a couple of inches of loose substrate for burrowing. Sticks, pieces of cork, or other bark should be placed inside as means for the beetles to climb and to aid in righting themselves if flipped onto their backs. Keeping the substrate slightly moist and humid will prolong your beetles’ lifespan; coconut coir/fiber is ideal for retaining moisture, preventing mold growth, and reducing scuffs and scratches on their exoskeletons. Males should be kept solo to prevent fighting, but females can be kept communally in larger terrariums. Adult Hercules beetles are sap feeders in nature and, in captivity, will eat soft, sweet, ripe fruits such as banana, mango, cantaloupe, and honeydew. Avoid feeding citrus. They can also be fed diluted pure maple syrup or prepared beetle jelly, either commercially produced or homemade.

For full lifecycle care, check out our Dynastes tityus care guide.

These beetles undergo a cold hibernation period of at least three months at 10 °C (50°F) during their dormant period after emerging from pupation. While dormancy times vary from beetle to beetle, they are shipped after removal from cold hibernation and will remain buried for an additional 2-4 weeks before becoming surface active. Offer food once they become surface active; at that point, active adult beetles typically live for an additional 4-6 months.

Males are sold based on size, with the length of their horns being the main indicator of “quality.” Beetles with pronounced horns and an overall size of 50mm+ are considered “major” males, while those under 50mm with reduced horns are considered “minor” males. Beetle size primarily results from the availability and quality of food during their first two larval instars. We have never produced a “minor” male, which we believe is a good indication of the quality of our substrate and good animal husbandry.

Each beetle will be accompanied by a “beetle birth certificate” detailing the important dates in your beetle’s life.