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Technical Info

S. aloeus is one of five US species in the genus Strategus.

Two genera and seven species of the tribe Oryctini can be found in the US:

                    Strategus:                                       Xyloryctes:
                       S. aloeus                                          X. jamaicensis
                       S. antaeus                                        X. thestalus
                       S. splendens
                       S. cessus
                       S. mormon

Life span:   Adults live approximately 
  four months. Grubs grow quickly; the life 
  cycle taking about 12 months. The long
  pupation period can be shortened somewhat 
  by keeping the pupae in a warmer 
  environment.

Diet:   Adults will eat apple slices and many
  other types of fruit. Grubs eat rotten wood 
  and composted vegetation.

Notes:   Females will lay their eggs in 
  substrates ranging anywhere from 
  middle-decayed wood, to flake soil. Adding 
  crushed leaves to the substrate will often
  help egg production. Despite sometimes 
  being called the "southwestern ox beetle,"
  this species can be found as far east as
  Florida, and is the most widespread of the
  Ox beetles in the US.

      Male   -       Female  -    Pupae  -    L2 Grub

Strategus aloeus Care Information