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Goliath beetle
Good to know
Six things about the goliath beetle
SizeA giant insect
The grub of a goliath beetle can weigh as much as 100 grams, heavier than many small birds.
FlyingIt can still fly
Despite its size it flies well, with a loud, deep buzz like a small helicopter.
HornA Y-shaped horn
Males have a forked horn on the head, used to push rivals away from food or a mate.
FoodA sweet tooth
Adults feed on tree sap and ripe fruit.
GrubsHungry grubs
The grubs live in rotting wood and leaf litter and need far more protein than most beetle grubs.
GripHooked feet
Sharp claws on each foot let it cling to tree trunks and branches.
The real thing
Photos of the goliath beetle
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons, used under the free licences shown. They have been resized, and cropped where they appear in link previews.
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Out and aboutHow to spot one
Look and listen high in flowering and sap-bearing trees: a heavy, low buzz is often the first sign.
Lend a handHow to help
Their grubs need rotting wood and deep leaf litter, so they depend on old forest being left undisturbed.
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