The Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) is a species of rhinoceros beetle native to the rainforests of Central America, South America, and the Lesser Antilles. It is the longest extant species of beetle in the world, and is also one of the largest flying insects in the world. Etymology Dynastes hercules is known for its tremendous strength and is named after Hercules, a hero of classical mythology who is famed for his great strength. Taxonomy D. hercules has a complex taxonomic history and has been known by several synonyms. It is in the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles) in the larger family Scarabaeidae (commonly known as scarab beetles). Not counting subspecies of D. hercules, seven other species are recognized in the genus Dynastes. Subspecies Several subspecies of D. hercules have been named, though still some uncertainty exists as to the validity of the named taxa. Dynastes hercules ecuatorianus Ohaus, 1913 Dynastes hercules hercules (Linnaeus, 1758) Dynastes hercules lichyi Lachaume, 1985 Dynastes hercules morishimai Nagai, 2002 Dynastes hercules occidentalis Lachaume, 1985 Dynastes hercules paschoali Grossi & Arnaud, 1993 Dynastes hercules reidi Chalumeau, 1977 (= baudrii Pinchon, 1976) Dynastes hercules septentrionalis Lachaume, 1985 (= tuxtlaensis Moron, 1993) Dynastes hercules takakuwai Nagai, 2002 Dynastes hercules trinidadensis Chalumeau & Reid, 1995 (= bleuzeni Silvestre and Dechambre, 1995) Description Adult body sizes (not including the thoracic horn) vary between in length and in width. Male Hercules beetles may reach up to in length (including the horn), making them the longest species of beetle in the world, if jaws and/or horns are included in the measurement. The size of the horn is naturally variable, more so than any variation of the size of legs, wings, or overall body size in the species. This variability results from developmental mechanisms that coincide with genetic predisposition in relation to nutrition, stress, exposure to parasites, and/or physiological conditions. Dynastes hercules is highly sexually dimorphic, with only males exhibiting the characteristic horns (one on the head, and a much larger one on the prothorax). The body of males is black with the exception of the elytra, which can have shades of olive-green. They have a black suture with sparsely distributed black spots elsewhere on the elytra. They have a slightly iridescent coloration to their elytra, which varies in color between specimens and may be affected by the humidity of the local environment in which they develop. At low humidity the elytra are olive-green