Giant Fijian Long-horned Beetle
Xixuthrus heros
- Endangered
- Card rarity: Epic
- Insects
The giant Fijian long-horned beetle is native to the islands of Viti Levu in Fiji, and is one of the largest living insect species, with specimens around 15 cm long, excluding legs, antennae, or jaws. It is closely related to the Taveuni beetle, which is only marginally smaller. These beetles have powerful jaws, and should be handled with care when alive—when threatened, they produce a loud and fearsome hissing noise by squeezing air out from under their elytra. The rainforest habitat on its home island has suffered severe fragmentation by deforestation and habitat degradation by invasive species such as the small Indian mongoose, with other threats being cyclones that could devastate its remaining habitat, light pollution and human consumption of its larvae. Consequently, the beetle is regarded as rare and endangered.
Classification
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Family
- Cerambycidae
- Genus
- Xixuthrus