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Post by trehopr1 on Apr 19, 2020 9:15:46 GMT
Megasoma is a genus of incredibly strong and somewhat varied beetles which I have always appreciated. From my first glimpse of them in the pages of National Geographic magazine I have been captivated. The genus is largely found in Central and South America although, a few species are known from Mexico (and possibly) parts of Texas or other Southwest states. Presently, there are 10 longstanding recognized species along with an additional 12 species which have been named in the last 35 years or so. Some of those 12 have established themselves in literature whilst others might still be "wrangled" over at present. From the collecting standpoint the largest species (M. acteon, M. elephas, and M. mars) tend to be a common fixtures in collections not (specialized in focus) and based upon aesthetic appeal. A few of the other species are known to collectors but, they either only show-up when collections are sold and parted out or they show infrequently at auctions -- oftentimes selling for some hefty prices. Some of the medium-smaller species can be "hotly contested" by those who specialize on the genus and lack species representatives. Below, I offer up one of two drawers which I have dedicated to these beetles over the years. While it could be said that I lack most of the smaller or (pricier) seldom seen species; I make it up in staying sharp at spotting large "un-blemished" males with well developed facial horns. Including, any outsized males at the apex of their species size range. I don't look at "runties" or species deformities... Top Row (left to right): M. elephas (male)/12.2cm., M. mars (male)/average, M. acteon janus (male)/sometimes regarded as species M. janus, M. elephas (female). Bottom Row: three male M. acteon/3rd male from left is 12.4cm. (my largest thus far)!  You will notice that I really keep this group well fumigated with both PDB and Naptha. I do this for two reasons in particular. Firstly, these fellows are what I call my "stinkers" as even years after having had these they still manage to have an odor about them when I open this drawer ! Secondly, this set of oak drawers (though made well) still lack the much "tighter" enclosure of my Bioquip drawers. So, to avoid any possible pest issues I stay vigilant on their upkeep. Lasts about 3 months on these oak drawers. Glad I only have 10 such drawers... |
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Post by larrycurlymoe on Apr 19, 2020 17:02:49 GMT
Nice specimens, trehopr. I would also like to see your other Megasoma drawer. There are 3 species of Megasoma in the United States, all considerably smaller than the ones in your drawer. M. vogti, the largest US species (up to about 46mm), is found in Texas. M. punctulatus is found in Arizona, and M.sleeperi (the rarest) is found in California near the Mexican border.
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Post by trehopr1 on Apr 19, 2020 18:43:32 GMT
Thank You larrycurlymoe for your kind regards. Your post is quite informative regarding those U.S. species. Glad to know we have some here for certain !
Have you collected any of these U.S. species? Do you have any pic's of them to share?
I'm so used to only having these "Gigantosaurs" that I don't even know what a smaller species would look like in terms of horn ornamentation...
As mentioned, I have never "dabbled" in the smaller species due to infrequent offerings, competition, and high pricing (generally). Therefore, my other drawer is just a reflection of more big guys and gals. I felt this 1st drawer was the better of the two in highlighting the genus.
A collector friend of mine possesses a large 10.5cm. or better M. gyas (male) which I have been prodding him to trade or sell to me these last 4 years. But, he's not ready yet so I carry-on.... That's a big species I have yet to find anywhere. He only got his some 25 years ago from a collection being parted out.
I'm going to take a look at my Ecuador expedition material because I'm fairly certain I collected a small (male) Megasoma one of the evenings that I was there. When I find it I'll take a pic and maybe somebody will know what species it might be.
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Post by larrycurlymoe on Apr 20, 2020 15:47:57 GMT
I have collected M. vogti & M. punctulatus, but not sleeperi. I will try to post pictures, but I have have tried unsuccessfully before. I'll give it another shot.
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Post by larrycurlymoe on Apr 20, 2020 16:06:51 GMT
No luck with the picture posting again. Imgur texts you a code which you have to enter in order to register. I don't have a smart phone, so I can't receive texts. Therefore, I can't post pictures.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Apr 20, 2020 21:21:23 GMT
That must be new. When I joined last year there was no validation text requirement. Perhaps that requirement is to join the imgur 'community', rather than just to register for photo hosting?
Of course there are other photo hosting websites out there. If you have a social media account I think you can even post the photos there and link them here. As long as they are marked publicly visible when you post them on social media they should be accessible here, I think. Use [ img ] URL [ / img ] (without the spaces) to format the link and the photo will be visible in the thread without having to click a link.
Adam.
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Post by larrycurlymoe on Apr 21, 2020 15:10:23 GMT
Sorry Adam, I'm pretty old-fashioned. I don't do Facebook or any other social media. I enjoy seeing pictures that other people post on this website, but I seem to be out of luck when it comes to posting my own pictures.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Apr 21, 2020 16:14:23 GMT
Sorry Adam, I'm pretty old-fashioned. I don't do Facebook or any other social media. I enjoy seeing pictures that other people post on this website, but I seem to be out of luck when it comes to posting my own pictures. Don't worry you are not the only old fogey here, this is as close to "social media" that I get to. I cannot abide Facebook in particular, and I really didn't like the way it seemed to know everything about me when my brother insisted I sign up a number of years ago. It even recommended people who I knew about 50 years ago but have never contacted online just by giving them only my name and e-mail address, nothing else, and not adding any "friends" (not even my brother). Eerily it knew what I was interested in, butterflies and a few other things as well. After logging on I decided it wasn't for me and a few days later I unsubscribed but got bombarded by spam asking me to rejoin. Eventually I got so sick of it that I did reactivate my account and then I changed all the privacy preferences to no/never or similar negative setting, so no-one can see or find me or add me as a "friend" etc etc. As soon as I did that the spam ceased (hooray!), I guess all they want is to include everyone in their membership numbers regardless of whether they actually use the site or not. Adam. |
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Post by larrycurlymoe on Apr 21, 2020 19:05:26 GMT
My opinion of Facebook is the same as yours. I avoid it like the plague (or the coronavirus).
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Post by exoticimports on Apr 22, 2020 13:32:14 GMT
Megasoma are very cool.
I remember in Ecuador one of the guys was a Megasoma fanatic, that's what he was after. But three days in, he'd caught zero. Ironically, walking up the road to his tent & lights we found one, minus head, that had been run over by a truck- so I hung it from his MV light. We couldn't stop laughing thinking about what would happen when he discovered it.
As part of a deal to help a guy, I got these Megasoma. Now I have no idea what to do with the darned things.
By the way, one PDB ball is sufficient for that box; with that many shown in the original image all you're doing is fumigating yourself.
Chuck
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Post by trehopr1 on Apr 23, 2020 1:00:16 GMT
Ah', but Chuck there is a famous line from a character in the movie Apocalypse now which comes to mind:"I love the smell of napalm (napthalene) in the morning; it smells like victory"!😄
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Post by trehopr1 on Apr 24, 2020 7:18:03 GMT
I went back to my Ecuador expedition captures of 1988 as I recalled having collected a small species of Megasoma whilst there. Of coarse, I have no idea as to which species it may be however, I thought that perhaps "some day" some member knowledgeable in this genus might spy it and tell me if it is something special or just "dirt common". Collected on the 14.May.1988 on the site of a previous night's blacklight. Unlike, the big species which are found between Nov.and Feb.; this one was there in mid-May. The only one (by the way) collected by anyone during my 7 day stay there. The third photo features the head and prothorax in particular. It's the only small species that I have...    |
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entomofou
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 91
Country: France
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Post by entomofou on Apr 28, 2020 22:27:32 GMT
To my mind, this is not a Megasoma... You should try with Lycomedes...
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Post by trehopr1 on Apr 30, 2020 4:40:52 GMT
Wow !
I am sending a mighty big " Thank You entomofou" very much for that genus correction...
I am humbled by your knowledge of Coleoptera. I very much appreciate learning from others here on the forum ; as well as perhaps spreading a bit of my own knowledge through my articles and threads which I enjoy writing.
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