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Xylotrupes socrates
Xylotrupes socrates, commonly known as the Siamese rhinoceros beetle[citation needed] or fighting beetle[citation needed] (Thai: กว่างชน),[failed verification] is a species of large scarab beetle belonging to the subfamily Dynastinae. It is particularly known for its role in insect fighting in Thailand.[citation needed] Description_mating_(7783024650).jpg) Like most dynastid beetles, the adult male of X. socrates possesses two horns: one on the head and another on the pronotum, both bifurcate and curling inward. Adult females lack these horns. Both sexes have dark chestnut-brown (in younger beetles) or black (in older beetles) exoskeletons and elytra.[1] DistributionThe species is widespread in south-east Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.[2] Beetle fightingThese beetles are used for staging beetle fights, a traditional form of entertainment popular in the northern region of Thailand.[failed verification] They are captured and trained to become stronger and more aggressive.[3] In the fight the beetle that lifts its opponent up by its horns wins. A beetle may also win if his opponent crawls away, falls, or is overturned.[4] Insect fighting is mostly practiced in the Chiang Mai and Nan provinces of Thailand. It is also popular in Myanmar and Northern Laos. Spectators typically place bets on the fights.[5] Insect fighting coaches claim their activity provides a free pastime while drawing attention to insects that would otherwise have been ignored or simply killed as pests.[6] References
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