Megasoma

Megasoma is a rhinoceros beetle genus. Commonly known as the elephant beetles, Megasoma species are found from the southern half of North America to most of South America. Megasoma are generally large in size (as indicated by the name, which is 'large body' in Greek). As a group, the genus contains some of the largest beetle species known. However, there are small species of this genus as well. The largest can be up to 135 mm, while small ones like Megasoma punctulatum can be around 20 mm. Many Megasoma species (Megasoma elephas, Megasoma thersites, Megasoma gyas, Megasoma cedrosa, Megasoma anubis, Megasoma occidentale, Megasoma joergenseni, Megasoma vogti) have thin microscopic hairs (setae) covering nearly their entire bodies, giving the appearance of being pale or orange.