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Xylotrupes socrates, commonly known as the Siamese rhinoceros beetle[citation needed] or fighting beetle[citation needed] (Thai: กว่างชน),[failed verification] is a species of large scarab beetle belonging to the subfamily Dynastinae. It is particularly known for its role in insect fighting in Thailand.[citation needed]
| Xylotrupes socrates | |
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| Adult male | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Scarabaeidae |
| Genus: | Xylotrupes |
| Species: | X. socrates
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| Binomial name | |
| Xylotrupes socrates Schaufuss, 1864
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| Synonyms | |
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Description edit
_mating_(7783024650).jpg)
Like most dynastid beetles, the adult male of X. socrates possesses two horns: one on the head and another on the pronotum, both bifurcate and curling inward. Adult females lack these horns. Both sexes have dark chestnut-brown (is young) or black (is old) exoskeletons and elytra.[1]
Distribution edit
The species is widespread in south-east Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.[2]
Beetle fighting edit
These beetles are used for staging beetle fights, a traditional form of entertainment popular in the northern region of Thailand.[failed verification] They are captured and trained to become stronger and more aggressive.[3] In the fight the beetle that lifts its opponent up by its horns wins. A beetle may also win if his opponent crawls away, falls, or is overturned.[4] Insect fighting is mostly practiced in the Chiang Mai and Nan provinces of Thailand. It is also popular in Myanmar and Northern Laos. Spectators typically place bets on the fights.[5] Insect fighting coaches claim their activity provides a free pastime while drawing attention to insects that would otherwise have been ignored or simply killed as pests.[6]
References edit
- ^ "Xylotrupes | Hawaiian Scarab ID". idtools.org. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ "Xylotrupes socrates Schauffus 1864 – Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- ^ Bangkok Post – Beetle fighting revival. Archived 10 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "A travel experience: Rhinoceros beetles in Thailand's combat arena – Xylotrupes gideon L. as a Gladiator". articlesextra.com. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ^ Beetle fighting. Archived 16 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide". chiangmaitouristguide.com. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
External links edit
Media related to Xylotrupes socrates at Wikimedia Commons
