Family Scarabaeidae - Dynastes hercules (page 5)

Dynastes hercules (page 5)

Further photos of the emergence sequence of a male D. hercules. Photos courtesy of J. Lai.

The elytra are now fully straightened. The membranous flight wings are still in the process of being expanded to their final shape, and can be seen as a reddish-pink structure at the back of the abdomen.

Dynastes hercules (male) freshly emerged - Image © J. Lai

The thin, cellophane-like flight wings are now almost fully straightened, and are lying flat across the top of the abdomen.

The elytra are now slowly beginning to darken.

The flight wings have now been tucked into position underneath the elytra, and the elytra have darkened further. The dark patches on the moistened paper towel are caused by a fluid which is released when the insect emerges from the pupal skin.

The beetle is now essentially in its final form, and the elytra have darkened and hardened considerably. However, it will still take some time (possibly 3 weeks or more) for the insect's armor to reach maximum hardness and final coloration.

Dynastes hercules (male) recently emerged - Image © J. Lai

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