Large Beetle
November 14, 2009
This beetle was found by my wife’s student in a cluster with 20 or so others inside an oak tree that fell during Hurricane Ike. It’s very large, roughly the length of an adult thumb, but with much more girth.
It was so interesting that the police and rescue workers who were working the area took some of them as well, as no one had ever seen anything like them before.
These are the best pictures of the group my wife snapped.. Any idea?
Thanks alot!
Scott Hildenbrand
South Eastern Kentucky
Hi Scott,
Based on the size, we believe you have found a veritable treasure trove of Eastern Hercules Beetle pupae, Dynastes tityus. We hope you will allow them to mature and procreate. This is probably North America’s heaviest beetle. We will consult with Eric Eaton to see if he agrees with our identification.