Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 329

The Oryctes nasicornis beetle is one of the largest beetles in Europe, reaching up to 47 mm in length. They have reddish-brown elytra with a glazed appearance, and males have a long curved horn on their head. These beetles are found in the Palaearctic region, excluding the British Isles, and are commonly seen in the Mediterranean basin, Near East, and North Africa. Oryctes nasicornis live on wood, with their larvae found in rotting wood stumps and around sawdust. They are often associated with sawmills and horse racing tracks at the edge of their distribution range.