Species Insects & ArthropodsEastern Hercules Beetle

Eastern Hercules Beetle

Dynastes tityus

UncommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Eastern Hercules Beetle (Dynastes tityus)

The Eastern Hercules Beetle is North America's largest beetle, with males bearing enormous thoracic horns used for combat over females. Males can reach 2.5 inches and are pasty greenish-gray with black mottling, changing color with humidity. The massive white larva can take two years to develop inside rotting hardwood logs.

Habitat
Mature deciduous forests with rotting hardwood logs
Diet
Larvae: rotting wood. Adults: tree sap and rotting fruit
How common
Uncommon

Recent Eastern Hercules Beetle sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Eastern Hercules Beetle? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.

Get Huck — free

More insects & arthropods

13-Year Periodical Cicada
13-Year Periodical Cicada
Magicicada tredecim
Acmon Blue
Acmon Blue
Plebejus acmon
Acorn Ant
Acorn Ant
Temnothorax curvispinosus
Acorn Weevil
Acorn Weevil
Curculio glandium
Aerial Yellowjacket
Aerial Yellowjacket
Dolichovespula arenaria
Alderfly
Alderfly
Sialis lutaria
Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee
Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee
Megachile rotundata
Ambush Bug
Ambush Bug
Phymata americana