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Rhinoceros Beetle

Rhinoceros Beetle ©Philip Precey

Rhinoceros beetle

Scientific name: Sinodendron cylindricum
The rhinoceros beetle lives up to its name by sporting a distinctive 'horn' on the males' head. This glossy, blue-black beetle can be found in woods, parks and hedgerows, and depends on dead wood.

Species information

Statistics

Length: 1.5-1.8cm

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

May to October

About

The rhinoceros beetle is a large, cylindrical beetle that can be found in woodland, parkland and hedgerows. The adults are active in the summer and are strong fliers, although they can often be spotted resting in the sun on dead tree trunks. The larvae depend on old trees and rotting wood to live in and feed on, particularly common beech; whereas the adults feed on tree sap.

How to identify

The rhinoceros beetle is glossy blue-black and covered with small pits and grooves. It is easily recognised by the projection on the males' head that looks just like a rhino's horn. The female just has a small bump, rather than a full horn.

Distribution

Widespread.

Habitats

Did you know?

The rhinoceros beetle is a member of the same family as the stag beetle: Lucanidae. Both belong to the wider superfamily, Scarabaeoidea, which includes around 35,000 species worldwide, such as the sacred scarab beetles revered in ancient Egypt.

How people can help

Our gardens are a vital resource for wildlife, providing corridors of green space between open countryside, allowing species to move about. In fact, the UK's gardens provide more space for nature than all the National Nature Reserves put together. So why not try planting native plants and trees to entice birds, mammals and invertebrates into your backyard? To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.