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
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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