Insects are the most numerous of the various animal species, and we often see a variety of insects in our daily lives. For example, bees, dragonflies, grasshoppers, etc. are all insects. Of course, there are some insects that are not very popular, and even disliked by humans, such as locusts and cockroaches. So with so many insect species, which is the heaviest insect in the world?
Introduction to rhinoceros turtles
The rhinoceros turtle family belongs to the order Coleoptera and is widely distributed around the world. It is mostly distributed in the tropics, especially in South America, with more species in Africa and Oceania, and relatively few in Asia. Although there are not many species of rhinoceros turtles in China, accounting for only about 2.5% of the world's known species, it has important theoretical significance and economic value for the study of its taxonomy and geographical distribution, and can also provide first-hand materials for pest control and beneficial insect utilization. The heaviest insect in the world is the giant rhinoceros turtle of tropical America (Coleopterae), which protrudes from its head to the end of its abdomen and is 100 mm wide, larger than the largest goose egg. It weighs about 100 grams, equivalent to the weight of two eggs.
1. Distribution range
Rhinoceros turtles are mostly distributed in the tropics, especially in South America, with more species in Africa and Oceania, relatively few asian species, and northern tropical Gongshan, Fugong, Daguan, Yanjin, Zhenxiong, Huaping, Xinping, Qiubei, Mojiang, Lancang, Ximen, Longling, Qicheng, Ruili. Among them, the protruding cane turtle, the rubber rhinoceros golden turtle, and the double-forked rhinoceros golden turtle are commonly known as the one-horned fairy. Unicorn immortals are widely distributed in Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Hubei, Jiangxi, Hunan, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan in China; there are records of distribution in Korea and Japan.
2. Morphological characteristics
Rhinoceros, also known as the unicorniaceae, is a distinctive taxon, which is easily identifiable according to the number of exposed upper jaws and is visible on the back, and the upper lip is covered by the base of the lip; the antennae are 10 segments, and the gills are composed of 3 segments; and the anterior thorax and ventral plate are easily identified by the characteristics of cylindrical, triangular, tongue-shaped and other vertical protrusions between the basal segments. Many large to very large species, the phenomenon of sexual dimorphism is prominent in many genera, the male has a strong horn or other protrusion or pit on the head surface and the dorsal plate of the forebreast, and the female has simple or visible low protrusions.
3. Reproduction
Unicorns occur once a year, adult insects usually appear in June and August every year, mostly nocturnal and diurnal, have a certain degree of phototropism, mainly to the sap of tree wounds, or ripe fruits for food, the crop trees are basically not harmful. The larvae feed on decaying wood and decaying plant matter, so they mostly inhabit the decaying hearts of trees, sawdust piles, fertilizer piles and garbage piles, and even between the roofs of grass houses. Does not harm crops and trees. The larval stage has a total of 2 peeling, 3 years old, mature larvae body is very large, milky white, about the size of an egg, usually curved C-shaped. Old mature larvae pupate in the soil.
Rhinoceros turtles, also known as unicorns, often haunt in the summer, and many friends may have seen them. As the world's heaviest insect, the tropical American rhinoceros golden turtle is larger than the rhinoceros turtle that everyone often sees, and its weight is much heavier, almost the weight of two eggs. Rhinoceros turtles are classified as pests because they eat the young branches of some trees, and are the objects that need to be controlled in areas with developed forestry and lush trees.