Site of the Week
Goliathus http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/9191/Goliathus.htm
This week, a website featuring life size pictures of the biggest insects on the planet. Goliath beetles, or members of the genus Goliathus, are amazing creatures, and here’s a chance to see for yourself.
The photo galleries, one for each of the 6 species, illustrate just how monumentally huge these beetles are - an adult male easily fills a human hand, and there’s a picture of a beetle clinging onto its owner’s arm like a cat clinging to a tree. You’ll also find pictures of beetles at various points in their lifecycle - from the newly hatched larvae, up through the progressively larger larval stages (called ‘instars’), to the gargantuan 3rd instar, the last step before becoming an adult beetle.
There’s some interesting reading on goliath beetle biology, though the site could perhaps do with giving a bit more detail. For some extra info and even more pictures there’s a links section to take you on to other goliath beetle webpages and galleries. There’s also a treat for any entomological philatelists out there: a small collection of stamps featuring goliath beetles and their close relatives.
If you aren’t already a beetle fan, then these giants will surely push you in that direction - if not pick you up and hurl you across the room…
Richard Northover
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