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Dynastes granti - Western Hercules Beetle
Arizona, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2006

Horns of the male hercules beetle Dynastes granti work as pincers, closing when the beetle arches its head backwards to bring the horns together.  Males use their horns to fight for access to females.

 
USA AZ Cochise Co.: Chiricahua Mountain Foothills, 31º59'N 109º22'W 1650m. 16.viii.2006.
Riparian forest, ex Fraxinus.

This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS 20D, using a Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro USM lens.