Atlas and Moellenkampis

An 3 horned beetle The Atlas beetle, Chalcosoma atlas, is a species of beetle found in southern Asia, especially Malaysia, remarkable for its size (25–130 mm). As common in some Scarabaeidae, the male is larger than the female, and have specialised horns on the head and thorax that males use to fight with each other to gain mating rights with females.The Atlas beetle is, like other beetles of the genus Chalcosoma, notable for its size and the horns that is seen on its head. The Atlas beetle differs from other Chalcosoma species (such as C.moellenkampi) in the end of the cephalic horn of the Atlas, which is broadened.The larva of the Atlas beetle is known for its fierce behavior, including biting if touched. Unverified reports exist of larvae that live together fighting to the death if there's not enough space or food. C. mollenkampi is very easily distinguishable from its close relatives, C. atlas and C. caucasus due to the horn formation which comes from the middle of the thorax rather than the sides. Imagoes of C. mollenkampi seem to prefer just banana slices and larvae enjoy large amounts of high protein food along with rotten wood. If one is not careful when handling the massive larvae they can turn their body around and give a bite which draws blood! Larvae live in decomposed or rotting plant-matter, plant roots and carrion. Adults usually black in colour and often exhibit obvious sexual dimorphism; the males bearing horns or tubercules. Adults are nocturnal and do not feed on leaves. The local people would called it 'kumbang badak'. Males of this insect usually has four projections on the head. Their legs are strong, stiff and long. Chalcosoma atlas has certainly been one of the most wanted rhinos of rhino beetle fanatics. The atlas beetle is very common in the wild so and some collectors offer them at very cheap prices. I have not seen any 2nd gen or greater captive bred offered and it sadly seems that people tend to have little luck in getting captive raised female imagoes to lay more than a few eggs. Raising a major male like the one pictured is great but keeping them in constant culture would be better. Like other Chalcosoma, the L3 larvae can inflict painful bites. Pupa of the male imago in photograph can be seen on Species Life Cycle page.