Xylotrupes socrates

Xylotrupes socrates, the Siamese rhinoceros beetle, or fighting beetle (Thai : ด้วงกวางชน), is a brilliant species of large scarab beetle belonging to the subfamily Dynastinae. It is particularly known for its role in insect fighting in Thailand.

Xylotrupes socrates
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Genus: Xylotrupes
Species:
X. socrates
Binomial name
Xylotrupes socrates
Schaufuss, 1864
Synonyms
  • Xylotrupes sokrates Schaufuss, 1864

Subspecies

[1][2]

Distribution

This species is widespread in South-eastern Asia: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Description

Like most Dynastinae, male socrates possess two horns; one on the head and another on the pronotum, both bifurcate and curling inward. These beetles have black or dark chestnut brown exoskeletons and elytra.[3]

Beetle fighting

These beetles are used for staging beetle fights, a traditional entertainment popular in the northern region of Thailand. They are captured and trained by their owners to become stronger and more aggressive.[4] In the fight the beetle that lifts its opponent up by its horns wins. A bug may also win if his opponent crawls away, falls or is overturned.[5] Insect fighting is mostly practiced in the Chiang Mai and Nan provinces of Thailand. It is also popular in Myanmar and Northern Laos. Spectators usually place bets on the fights.[6] Insect coaches claim that their activity provides a free pastime while drawing attention upon insects that would otherwise have been ignored or just killed as pests.[7]

  • Rhinoceros beetle on a coin

See also

References
  1. "Xylotrupes gideon". BioLib.cz. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  2. "Catalogue of Life - 2011 Annual Checklist :: Search all names". catalogueoflife.org. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  3. "Xylotrupes | Hawaiian Scarab ID". idtools.org. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  4. Bangkok Post - Beetle fighting revival Archived December 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "A travel experience: Rhinoceros beetles in Thailand's combat arena – Xylotrupes gideon L. as a Gladiator". articlesextra.com. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  6. Beetle fighting Archived February 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide". chiangmaitouristguide.com. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
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