Name that big bug!

bachata

bachata

Aprendiz de todo profesional de nada
Aug 18, 2007
5,360
1,257
113
"Avejon de coco" Popular name for this bug in DR.

JJ
 
Y

yb1

New member
Oct 6, 2008
401
12
0
Titanus giganteus

Thanks for the lead Hillbilly, from which I've discovered it's an appropriately named "Titanus giganteus" and is the world's largest beetle and we were lucky to have seen one.

Titanus giganteus, Longhorn Beetle | Rare Beetles

According to Wikipedia "There is a local 'cottage industry' in French Guiana of leading tours specifically to collect specimens of this beetle (which can command prices over US$500)..."

Maybe I should start Bayahibe Bug Tours at 500 bucks a pop lol...
 
P

PeterInBrat

Gold
May 29, 2006
10,265
200
0
They prob only come out at a specific time of year or under certain conditions to mate and then die. They live most of their lives as grubs inside the trees.
 
Y

yb1

New member
Oct 6, 2008
401
12
0
windeguy said:
That is one big bug! But then again it is the world's largest beetle and I learned something new today. (Did you name it John, Paul, George or Ringo?)
Click to expand...

We've named him Humbert the Humungus. This is the 3rd time he's visited us in the past month, but the first time I've had the courage to get close. He landed on our patio yesterday afternoon, was very docile (i thought he was dead), no hissing noises so he must be a mute. After dark he became more animated, at which point I barricaded myself indoors. He could be heard thwumping around against the door and windows...
 
P

PeterInBrat

Gold
May 29, 2006
10,265
200
0
Nice pics. If you have any coins from home and you see it again, try to get some photos with them for scale.

The DR is an Ecologist's hot spot. I once saw the smallest gecko in the world there in my bathroom:

_1689313_gecko300.jpg


It was hunting gnats no bigger than a grain of sand and would swish its tail like a cat before pouncing on them. They were also suppose to be rare, but I think when they say something is rare, they often really mean elusive. This was just after a big rain and I think it was washed down from the tree tops.
 
Y

yb1

New member
Oct 6, 2008
401
12
0
Here's a photo with some scale, it's under 4 inches so it's a tiddler as they can be 6 inches long.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/puntacanatv/4923139259/" title="Titanus Giganteus by punta cana TV, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4923139259_8aa6b16cc6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Titanus Giganteus" /></a>
 
T

twillis

New member
Jun 22, 2009
233
14
0
I just peed my pants ... thanks. God!! If I saw that I'd run!! Man ... I feel crawly now.
 
Hillbilly

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
18,948
514
113
Sorry, but I do not think it is "Titanus" because of the form of the back part. All the photos of Titanus show a rounded set of shell in the back and this guy is straight.

Look closely at the photo on Wikipedia (as I am sure you have been there) and you will see that all of the ones on the wall are much more rounded....

I will stick with Palm Borer for now...until an entomologist comes along...

HB
 
N

Norma Rosa

Bronze
Feb 20, 2007
1,127
58
0
bachata said:
"Avejon de coco" Popular name for this bug in DR.

JJ
Click to expand...

Yes. It can easily attack a plant from its root. The good thing is that, when it falls, it falls on its back and being so heavy, cannot turn itself around; in that position for hours it dies. In that position this bug can also fool you, for it stops moving the legs (maybe saving energy or playing dead) and if you kick it and it turns, off it goes.

Ugly creatures too.
 
A

aprildawn

New member
Aug 26, 2010
16
2
0
OMG. Not sure if I want to visit DR now! Please tell me these do not get into your house or hotel room!!!
 
N

Norma Rosa

Bronze
Feb 20, 2007
1,127
58
0
aprildawn said:
OMG. Not sure if I want to visit DR now! Please tell me these do not get into your house or hotel room!!!
Click to expand...

No, they rarely visit the cities, for they live on vegetation. My house is in the country side and during the six weeks I was there this summer, I only saw about four of them. Only one came inside the house. They don't attack people, or animals.
 
P

PeterInBrat

Gold
May 29, 2006
10,265
200
0
aprildawn said:
OMG. Not sure if I want to visit DR now! Please tell me these do not get into your house or hotel room!!!
Click to expand...

Don't know about the palm borers, but check your shoes if there is a heavy rain outside and you are on a ground floor room. That's when these guys come inside to snuggle:

YouTube - BIG spider - tarantula on my hand

I only saw one in my room in eight months and it was tiny compared to this one. The odds are pretty good you won't see one, esp in dry weather. I'd tell you they're harmless, but would it make any difference? My door was partly open, btw...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom