Family Scarabaeidae - Chalcosoma mollenkampi (page 1)

Chalcosoma mollenkampi
Range: southeastern Indonesia
Size: 40 - 100 mm

Chalcosoma mollenkampi occurs on islands of the Indonesian archipelago such as Borneo. Its biology and life cycle is very much the same as that of the other Chalcosoma species. One feature of note in C. mollenkampi is that its thoracic horns curve downward, rather than projecting forward as do those of C. caucasus and C. atlas. Also, the horns arise more from the central area of the pronotum, rather than from the sides. On this and the following page are some photos of C. mollenkampi, generously provided for display here by the authors of other beetle web sites.

A pair of C. mollenkampi. The horns of the male of this species are quite stout and broad at their bases. Note that even the female exhibits some of the semi-metallic colouration that can be seen in the male. In the female however, the shine is somewhat muted by the layer of fine hairs which cover the surface of the elytra.

Photo courtesy of Al O Myrrhina.

Chalcosoma mollenkampi (pair) - Image © Al O Myrrhina

Chalcosoma mollenkampi (male) - Image © Milan Polaczyk

Here you get a good view of how the horns are positioned in this species. This male is sitting in the characteristic defensive posture of Chalcosoma, with the front of the body held high off the ground.

Photo courtesy of Milan Polaczyk.

A male sitting among rocks and photographed with a bright spotlight. On the following page are several additional images of a male C. mollenkampi.

Photo courtesy of Milan Polaczyk.

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