Hercules Beetle (IMAGE)

Smithsonian

Hercules Beetle

Caption

Hercules beetles are most active and ready to breed after dark, but when brought into human care, these beetles often lose their interest in mating and spend most of their time eating. The only option for reproduction so far has been hand pairing, which requires a zookeeper to hold the female beetle with one hand and place the male on top of the female's back in the proper direction to initiate breeding.

Credit

Meghan Murphy, Smithsonian's National Zoo

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