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Luminary Oddities · Natural history & art
Dicronocephalus wallichi
Coleoptera / Scarabaeidae
An antler-horn flower chafer whose males use their forelegs and horns in contests. Females prepare leaf-provisioned nests that support early larval development.
Read the species account
Males in the Taiwanese study have two prominent head horns and longer forelegs than females. The horns project from the head and are separate from the antennae. [3]
Taiwanese field studies identified their population as D. wallichii bourgoini. In lowland forest, adults gathered at feeding sites on bamboo shoots during daytime observations in late spring. [3]
In the maternal-care experiment, newly hatched larvae remained in the provisioned nest for approximately 15–30 days before leaving. [4]
Taiwanese adults fed at sap and fruit sites, including bamboo shoots whose surface they injured to obtain sap. [5]
Larvae in the maternal-care experiment consumed dead-leaf material placed in the nest by the female. [4]
During Taiwanese contests, males guarding females confronted approaching rivals. Forelegs were used early in an encounter; during escalation, horns pulled opponents away from females or their supporting surface. Larger bodies and weapons were associated with greater contest success. [3]
Before laying an egg, the female excavates soil and places dead-leaf fragments in a nest. Experimental nest preparation improved early larval survival under low-nutrient conditions; the benefit was smaller when surrounding food was already nutritious. [4]
The Taiwanese locomotor study found no negative relationship between relative foreleg length and maximum sprint speed on bamboo branches. Longer forelegs were also associated with longer middle and hind legs. [5]
An open-wing dorsal view distinguishes the hardened elytra from the membranous flight hindwings. [6]
Take Flight / White Series 001 presents the beetle in an open-wing arrangement, with the flight membranes extending around the compact body. The edition title identifies the composition.
Keep the enclosure away from direct sunlight, dampness and large changes in temperature or humidity. Handle the frame, clean only its exterior, and inspect for loose fragments, moisture and pests. Retain the specimen’s original labels and follow the enclosure maker’s care instructions. [7]
Catalogue of Life via GBIF · Accessed 2026-10-09
Lee and colleagues; ZooKeys (2015) · Accessed 2026-10-09
Kojima and Lin; Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (2017), author copy · Accessed 2026-10-09
Kojima and Lin; Journal of Ethology (2018) · Accessed 2026-10-09
Kojima; Japanese Journal of Ecology (2022) · Accessed 2026-10-09
David Britton; Australian Museum · Accessed 2026-10-09
Canadian Conservation Institute; Fiona Graham · Accessed 2026-10-11
Framed and digital artworks featuring this species. Current options and prices are listed on Etsy.
Sources checked 2026-10-11. Illustrations · Luminary Oddities.
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