Post by trehopr1 on Jun 13, 2020 9:07:25 GMT
In man's histories and legends of old the names of Goliath and Hercules invoke an aura of size and strength to anything bearing such names. Yet, while it could be said that these legendary mortals were imposing figures in history or myth; they were still mortals... On another "higher" level there is a name synonymous with Greek mythology which bears connotations of great strength and endurance and that name is ATLAS.
In Greek mythology Atlas was a Titan (an older generation of gods, based on Mount Othrys) fighting against the Olympians (the younger generations, who would come to reign on mount Olympus) and their allies. The Battle of the Gods or "Titan War" was a ten-year series of battles fought to decide which generation of gods would have dominion over the universe; it ended in victory for the Olympian gods.
As punishment for being on the losing side Atlas was subsequently condemned to hold up the celestial heavens for eternity --- after the war. Atlas is depicted in books as well as in sculptures bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders. Below, is a modern "uptake" of the Atlas theme which served as a souvenir glass and was sold at "Rainforest Cafe" in the early 2000's.
So, what does all this have to do with beetles ? Well, I was getting to that...
You see, there is a small genus of beetles (Chalcosoma) which have been affectionately called Atlas beetles --- owing to their great size and strength. The genus comprises at least four species; and they are largely found in Indonesia (Borneo, Sumatra, Java, etc.) as well as the distant and more northerly Philippines.
*Thailand also has them as well (as mentioned by Adam); although, I am unsure of their presence in Cambodia or Vietnam (which are also possibilities)...
Chalcosoma are in my humble opinion the most elegantly adorned of all the "rhinocerous" type beetles. Their very "form" is appealing in its design as well as in its highly polished (glossy) black appearance. Below, I offer up my modest holdings of (Chalcosoma) Atlas beetles...
Viewers will notice right away that I have no females present. For me its always been about the males ! The females of these are smaller, un-adorned, and quite frankly boring --- so, I don't bother with them. Fresh appearing and (non-battle tested) males with good "racks" is the way this collector rolls...
Males can sometimes run small at around 8-9 cm., whilst more average specimens come in at 10.5-11cm. Anything running low 11's and up start getting costly -- very quickly. These fellows can and do run in excess of 12.0 cm.
Below, is a close-up of my 12.5cm...
Unfortunately, trying to get pictures of these beetles without light glaring off of their (glossy) black patent leather elytra is impossible!
Fresh examples, which have not been "living the life" for too long have beautiful highly-polished (looking) elytra and "racks" in pitch black. However, there is some variation in color present between the species as some like Chalcosoma moellenkampi from North Borneo appears as more of a brownish-black species.
The "racks" (horns) as I call them vary as well with some appearing quite long and thinly curved (C. atlas), whilst another species (C. caucasus) has a least two forms with the Sumatra ones having shorter/thicker curved racks (2nd row/1st specimen) and the Javan forms differing in design as evidenced in (2nd row/3rd specimen). C. moellenkampi is situated between them and as you can see its curved horns have a far smaller gap (between them) so they appear very much parallel to each other and unlike any other species !
Another curiosity of the males is the occasional appearance of "bluish-black" examples. These fellows have the black appearance throughout however, they possess a steel-blue pearlessence which is quite unlike most you might ever come across...
Below, is a photograph of such a beast. It resides in the collection of a dear friend and the look of this "cold-steel beauty" is mesmerizing !
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Well, I hope you have enjoyed tonight's topic of Atlas beetles. These are beautiful creatures in their polished appearance and elegant form.
Not to mention, a "Titan" of strength and endurance amongst beetles.
In Greek mythology Atlas was a Titan (an older generation of gods, based on Mount Othrys) fighting against the Olympians (the younger generations, who would come to reign on mount Olympus) and their allies. The Battle of the Gods or "Titan War" was a ten-year series of battles fought to decide which generation of gods would have dominion over the universe; it ended in victory for the Olympian gods.
As punishment for being on the losing side Atlas was subsequently condemned to hold up the celestial heavens for eternity --- after the war. Atlas is depicted in books as well as in sculptures bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders. Below, is a modern "uptake" of the Atlas theme which served as a souvenir glass and was sold at "Rainforest Cafe" in the early 2000's.
So, what does all this have to do with beetles ? Well, I was getting to that...
You see, there is a small genus of beetles (Chalcosoma) which have been affectionately called Atlas beetles --- owing to their great size and strength. The genus comprises at least four species; and they are largely found in Indonesia (Borneo, Sumatra, Java, etc.) as well as the distant and more northerly Philippines.
*Thailand also has them as well (as mentioned by Adam); although, I am unsure of their presence in Cambodia or Vietnam (which are also possibilities)...
Chalcosoma are in my humble opinion the most elegantly adorned of all the "rhinocerous" type beetles. Their very "form" is appealing in its design as well as in its highly polished (glossy) black appearance. Below, I offer up my modest holdings of (Chalcosoma) Atlas beetles...
Viewers will notice right away that I have no females present. For me its always been about the males ! The females of these are smaller, un-adorned, and quite frankly boring --- so, I don't bother with them. Fresh appearing and (non-battle tested) males with good "racks" is the way this collector rolls...
Males can sometimes run small at around 8-9 cm., whilst more average specimens come in at 10.5-11cm. Anything running low 11's and up start getting costly -- very quickly. These fellows can and do run in excess of 12.0 cm.
Below, is a close-up of my 12.5cm...
Unfortunately, trying to get pictures of these beetles without light glaring off of their (glossy) black patent leather elytra is impossible!
Fresh examples, which have not been "living the life" for too long have beautiful highly-polished (looking) elytra and "racks" in pitch black. However, there is some variation in color present between the species as some like Chalcosoma moellenkampi from North Borneo appears as more of a brownish-black species.
The "racks" (horns) as I call them vary as well with some appearing quite long and thinly curved (C. atlas), whilst another species (C. caucasus) has a least two forms with the Sumatra ones having shorter/thicker curved racks (2nd row/1st specimen) and the Javan forms differing in design as evidenced in (2nd row/3rd specimen). C. moellenkampi is situated between them and as you can see its curved horns have a far smaller gap (between them) so they appear very much parallel to each other and unlike any other species !
Another curiosity of the males is the occasional appearance of "bluish-black" examples. These fellows have the black appearance throughout however, they possess a steel-blue pearlessence which is quite unlike most you might ever come across...
Below, is a photograph of such a beast. It resides in the collection of a dear friend and the look of this "cold-steel beauty" is mesmerizing !
Well, I hope you have enjoyed tonight's topic of Atlas beetles. These are beautiful creatures in their polished appearance and elegant form.
Not to mention, a "Titan" of strength and endurance amongst beetles.
