Xylotrupes socrates

Xylotrupes socrates, commonly known as the Siamese rhinoceros beetle or fighting beetle (Thai: กว่างชน), is a species of large scarab beetle belonging to the subfamily Dynastinae. It is particularly known for its role in insect fighting in Thailand.

Xylotrupes socrates
Adult male
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Genus: Xylotrupes
Species:
X. socrates
Binomial name
Xylotrupes socrates
Schaufuss, 1864
Synonyms
  • Xylotrupes sokrates Schaufuss, 1864

Description
Mating

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

The species is widespread in south-east Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.[2]

Beetle fighting

These beetles are used for staging beetle fights, a traditional form of entertainment popular in the northern region of Thailand. 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
  1. "Xylotrupes | Hawaiian Scarab ID". idtools.org. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  2. "Xylotrupes socrates Schauffus 1864 - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  3. Bangkok Post – Beetle fighting revival Archived 10 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "A travel experience: Rhinoceros beetles in Thailand's combat arena – Xylotrupes gideon L. as a Gladiator". articlesextra.com. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  5. Beetle fighting Archived 16 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide". chiangmaitouristguide.com. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
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