Phenologists?
That cute lil guy last night (I refer to the Rhinoceros beetle, not my landlord) is Xylotrupes ulysses australicus and while Ulysses is a fine name, Hercules or even Atlas might be better, because he can carry up to 850 times his own weight on his back. This is probably so he and she can push through heavy leaf litter on the forest floor. Trouble is, the name Hercules was already taken by his Kentucky cousin.
The name Xylotrupes tells us that this rhino is, like his cuz, a scarab, and thus related to the sacred beetle of ancient Egypt and other assorted dung-rollers.
Rhinos are more common further north and people from Brisbane will have seen them in large numbers on poinsiana trees, if not lying upside down beneath lights in service stations. An ignominious end for such an impressive creature.
In case you thought Australia now had a Rhinoceros Man, rest assured I'm not given to the brave, if embarrassing, stunts of the TV crikey guy with the foreign accent. The beetle on my hand last night was quite harmless, although a bit scratchy and quite loud. The strange squeaky hiss they make is pretty scary.
More on the Rhino beetle, at Scribblygum, a site named for a beautiful Aussie tree, and a must-bookmark for all Australian amateur phenologists like your almanackist.
Wouldn't you know it? Stuart is also a phenology phreak.
The name Xylotrupes tells us that this rhino is, like his cuz, a scarab, and thus related to the sacred beetle of ancient Egypt and other assorted dung-rollers.
Rhinos are more common further north and people from Brisbane will have seen them in large numbers on poinsiana trees, if not lying upside down beneath lights in service stations. An ignominious end for such an impressive creature.
In case you thought Australia now had a Rhinoceros Man, rest assured I'm not given to the brave, if embarrassing, stunts of the TV crikey guy with the foreign accent. The beetle on my hand last night was quite harmless, although a bit scratchy and quite loud. The strange squeaky hiss they make is pretty scary.
More on the Rhino beetle, at Scribblygum, a site named for a beautiful Aussie tree, and a must-bookmark for all Australian amateur phenologists like your almanackist.
Wouldn't you know it? Stuart is also a phenology phreak.
Pip Wilson posted item above at 9:37 PM | Permalink
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2 Comments:
Ran into one of those Rhino Beetles yesterday in my front yard and discovered they have a bit of a temper...it reared up on its back legs and made a hissing type noise when I got too close. Not a beetle to be crossed by the looks of it.
A fellow Sandy Beach Dweller....25yrs here and still love it.
They're scary when they do that (especially when you're holding one)! Good to hear from another Sandy lover.
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