Goliath Beetle

Goliath beetles are members of the insect family, called a scarab beetle.

This group of insects is a native species to Africa.

They are usually tropical although some are more subtropical.

The Goliath beetles are among the largest beetle in the world and they are certainly the heaviest.

Goliath Beetle

The larvae need more protein than most beetle larvae and instead of being developed in decayed plant materials such as trees and dead wood they need a bit more of something like peat in which to lay their eggs.

These larvae grow so rapidly that they will reach an incredible weight in about four months and weigh more than 100 grams.
They can grow up to five inches long in larval stages.

When the end of the wet season arrives in Africa, the larva is done growing.

It will burrow deep under the ground and make a cocoon of sorts which is a thin cell out of soil
It will become an adult while the world above it enters the dry season.

Completely inactive for about three weeks, the larva will shrink and become very wrinkly, when it then sheds the skin and the teenage years, (prepupal) stage is entered.
During this time it becomes an adult through various changes.

In several months the adult will shed the kind and then open its wings and fold them to a proper position on its body.

Goliath Beetle

The beetle will then harden, to a shell called an exoskeleton, still underground.
When the wet season arrives again it will be awakened to emerge from its underground home when the water soaks down to soften the shell of its encasement.

He or she will then fly away in search of a potential mate and the entire things begin again.

Adult Goliath beetles will eat nearly any food that is high in sugar or glucose, particularly tree sap. They will also eat fruit, when it is very ripe.

Goliath beetles have a first pair of wings which are protective covers for their secondary pair of wings. Only the second pair of wings is actually used for flying.

Find out more about the Goliath Beetle over at Wikipedia »