Dynastes

Dynastes is a genus of large horned beetles in the family Scarabaeidae and subfamily Dynastinae, commonly known as rhinoceros beetles. Members are characterized by a thick body and, in most species, one or more horns on the male's head and thorax that are used in combat for mates. Females lack long horns and are generally smaller, but otherwise resemble males.

The genus is distributed in the Americas, from the United States to tropical South America, with the greatest diversity in Central America and the northern Andes. They inhabit forests and wooded areas; larvae develop in decaying wood, and some species in soil rich in rotting organic matter. Adults feed on fruit, tree sap, and occasionally leaves; feeding patterns vary among species. The life cycle is typical of scarab beetles: egg, larva (grub), pupa, and adult. Larval development is lengthy, often taking one to several years depending on temperature and food supply.

Notable species include Dynastes hercules (the Hercules beetle), one of the largest beetles in the world; Dynastes tityus (the eastern Hercules beetle), common in the southeastern United States and parts of the Caribbean; and Dynastes grantii (Grant's rhinoceros beetle) found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The genus is popular among collectors and hobbyists, and several species are kept in captivity under controlled conditions. Conservation status varies by species and region, with habitat loss impacting some populations.