Goliath beetle

Goliath beetles are some of the largest insects in the world both as adults and larvae. It is thought that Goliath beetles are the heaviest of all the insects. Larvae can weigh as much as 100 grams and adults 50-60 grams, the adults can also reach 12 centimetres in length.

Goliath beetles are a subfamily, the Cetoniinae, within the Family Scarabaeidae (the Scarabs). The beetles are native to tropical regions of Africa.  Adult beetles feed on plant sap or fruit but little is known about the larvae which can feed for many months before pupating. It is thought the larvae feed on rotting wood in the wild but, evidence from rearing these beetles in captivity, suggests they require more protein in their diet than other scarab beetles.

An illustration of a Goliath beetle (Goliathus giganteus).
Illustration by Dru Drury (1725-1803).

Other names for (or types of) Goliath beetle include:

• Cetoniinae

Related terms

• Click beetle
• Coleoptera
• Coleopterist
• Darkling beetle
• Rhinoceros beetle
• Saproxylic
• Scarab
• Weevil

Related pages on this web site

• Beetles - Order Coleoptera

See other words beginning with G