How much does a rhinoceros beetle generally cost, is it a beneficial insect or a pest, and does it bite people?

When people mention “rhinoceros beetle”, anyone who grew up in the countryside has surely seen one. Some of the more mischievous boys would catch a rhinoceros beetle to use as a toy. As people's quality of life improves, they keep some pets at home for company, and the rhinoceros beetle is one of them. So how much does a rhinoceros beetle generally cost? Is it a beneficial insect or a pest? Does it bite people?

1. Introduction to the rhinoceros beetle

1. What kind of insect is the rhinoceros beetle?

The rhinoceros beetle belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Scarabaeidae, and is mainly distributed in Central China, South China, and the Taiwan region of China.

2. What does the rhinoceros beetle eat?

The larvae feed on humus formed from leaf mold or rotten wood, while the adults feed on sap flowing from tree wounds or overripe fruit.

3. What are the living habits of the rhinoceros beetle?

It likes to live in humid environments, otherwise it can easily die from rapid body dehydration. The optimum temperature is 23-25 degrees; below 20 degrees its food intake decreases and growth slows, and below 10 degrees it enters a dormant state.

2. How much does a rhinoceros beetle generally cost?

The price of the rhinoceros beetle is still relatively high, generally selling for 70-100 yuan each, though specifically it depends on its size; the larger it is, the higher the price naturally is. Why is the rhinoceros beetle so expensive? There are mainly the following reasons:

1. Reason one: it can be kept for viewing

Many people nowadays like to keep pets, and because wild rhinoceros beetles are becoming fewer and fewer in number due to pesticides and chemical fertilizers, their price has risen.

2. Reason two: it can be used medicinally

The rhinoceros beetle is a traditional Chinese medicinal material; after being dried, it can be used as medicine, and it has effects such as improving human immunity.

3. Is the rhinoceros beetle a beneficial insect or a pest?

It can be said to be either a beneficial insect or a pest, because an appropriate number will not cause forest damage, but when the number is too large, the adults will cause serious damage to trees. The rhinoceros beetle generally appears concentrated in June-August, is phototactic, and is mostly active by day and rests at night. Its larvae are often called chicken-hen worms, and after the pupal stage they emerge as adults, with one generation per year. Because it is not a protected insect and is large and robust, it is often used as a pet for children to enjoy and raise.

4. Does the rhinoceros beetle bite people?

The rhinoceros beetle will not bite people, because its feeding habits are mainly plant-based, and it likes to suck tree sap, so it does not bite people. However, avoid being scratched by the rhinoceros beetle's horn, and usually avoid using your fingers to tease the rhinoceros beetle's horn; some rhinoceros beetles will use their mouths to pinch people, and although being pinched by a rhinoceros beetle is not very painful, you should also avoid being scratched.

Overall, the price of the rhinoceros beetle is not very high, and if you want to raise them, you can start preparing now.