Xylotrupes socrates
Xylotrupes socrates | |
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Xylotrupes socrates, male | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Family: | Scarabaeidae |
Subfamily: | Dynastinae |
Genus: | Xylotrupes |
Species: | X. socrates |
Binomial name | |
Xylotrupes socrates Schaufuss, 1864 | |
Synonyms | |
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The Siamese rhinoceros beetle, fighting beetle, Xylotrupes socrates (Thai : ด้วงกวางชน) is a brilliant species of large scarab beetle belonging to the subfamily Dynastinae. It is particularly known for its role in insect fighting in Thailand.
Subspecies
Distribution
This species is widespread in South-eastern Asia: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam.
Beetle fighting
These beetles are used for staging beetle fights, a traditional entertainment popular in the northern region of Thailand. They are captured and trained by their owners to become stronger and more aggressive.[3] In the fight the beetle that lifts its opponent up by its horns wins. A bug may also win if his opponent walks 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 usually place bets on the fights.[5] Insect coaches claim that their activity provides a free pastime while drawing attention upon insects that would otherwise have been ignored or just killed as pests.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ "Xylotrupes gideon". BioLib.cz. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
- ↑ "Catalogue of Life - 2011 Annual Checklist :: Search all names". catalogueoflife.org. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
- ↑ Bangkok Post - Beetle fighting revival Archived December 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "A travel experience: Rhinoceros beetles in Thailand's combat arena – Xylotrupes gideon L. as a Gladiator". articlesextra.com. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
- ↑ Beetle fighting Archived February 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide". chiangmaitouristguide.com. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
- Rowland, J.M. (2011) Notes on nomenclature in Xylotrupes Hope (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Dynastini)
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Xylotrupes gideon. |