LOOK
WHEN YOU
The Rhinoceros Beetle
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With over 300 species under the rhinoceros beetle grouping, I narrowed my research to a few complex species. The rhinoceros beetle is iconic across many regions, including the United State, Japan, and Hawaii. In each of these areas, the beetle and its iconic horn are able to invoke groups of people, large or small, positive or negative, to gather around the rhinoceros beetle.
In Thailand, the Xylotrupes Gideon is used to create a social gathering where the main focus is beetle fighting. Beetle fighting is popularized in rural Asian countries to interact with other societies for a friendly sport blended with gambling. Wagers on these matches can reach $1,400!
BY: JONAH HULTBERG
When you look at this rhinoceros beetle you see community gatherings.
In Japan, the beetle (kabutomushi) is domesticated and regarded very highly among people. In Japan, the rhinoceros beetle is featured in pop culture such as video games, television shows, manga, and movies. In Japan, children are educated from a young age to appreciate insects, and therefore want to collect them, or even keep them as pets. It creates a community value of praise or honor upon the rhinoceros beetle and its iconic frontal horn.
In Hawaii, the coconut rhinoceros beetle has an especially negative connotation around it because of its nature as a pest. The beetle poses an immediate threat to the economy of Hawaii (a large export being coconuts), as it inflicts damage upon and even kills coconut trees. It gathers a community of the USDA, University of Hawaii, and U.S. Navy to eradicate the invasive species.
Watch this intriguing video and read my essay to discover more about rhinoceros beetle fighting in Thailand!