How difficult is it to keep Texas elephant beetle?

Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.

How large does Texas elephant beetle get?

Texas elephant beetle typically reaches BE-KUWA reference record 44.9mm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What is the typical price for Texas elephant beetle?

The price of Texas elephant beetle varies significantly depending on bloodline, size, captive-bred generation, and sex. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

AI-generated image

Texas elephant beetle

Q: What should I feed Texas elephant beetle?

Texas elephant beetle feeds on: Adults take sap, fruit juice or beetle jelly; larvae eat fermented substrate (tree and shrub roots in the wild). Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

Intermediate

Megasoma vogti

A small elephant beetle of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, known as the Texas elephant beetle. It belongs to the Megasoma group whose bodies are covered in fine hairs, giving a pale or orange look.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Temperature

20〜28℃ (typical for Insect)

Size

BE-KUWA reference record 44.9mm

Humidity

60〜80%

Diet

Adults take sap, fruit juice or beetle jelly; larvae eat fermented substrate (tree and shrub roots in the wild)

About

Megasoma vogti Cartwright, 1963 is a small elephant beetle (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) known in English as the Texas elephant beetle or Texas megasoma. It was described in 1963, and the male was not described until 1970. It ranges from southern Texas to Tamaulipas and Nuevo León in Mexico, and GBIF records are confined to the USA and Mexico. Seven Megasoma species occur in the southwestern USA and northern Mexico, but this is the only one in Texas, where adults are active from July to October. It is one of several Megasoma whose bodies are almost entirely covered in minute hairs, giving a pale or orange appearance. Megasoma larvae feed on tree and shrub roots, and adults drink sap or fruit juice, are nocturnal and come to lights. The BE-KUWA 2025 edition lists 44.9mm as a reference record under the name bogutozou (expected maximum 57mm). Japanese names vary between bogudi-, bogti- and boguto-. Domestically bred beetles occasionally appear at specialist shops in Japan.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Size of the Texas elephant beetle

The Texas elephant beetle grows to BE-KUWA reference record 44.9mm.

Basic Info

Origin

Southern Texas, USA, and Tamaulipas and Nuevo León, Mexico

Size

BE-KUWA reference record 44.9mm

Temperature

20〜28℃ (typical for Insect)

Humidity

60〜80%

Diet

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team

The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Megasoma vogti Cartwright, 1963

Authority databases: GBIF · GBIF

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

Not CITES-listed

Many live foreign Scarabaeoidea (stag beetles, rhinoceros beetles, flower chafers and relatives) are quarantine pests whose import is banned under Japan's Plant Protection Act, and even importable species require a species-name certificate from a foreign government body under the Invasive Alien Species Act (entry only via designated airports, never by international post). Whether a species may enter must be checked with the Plant Protection Station in advance, so choose domestically bred stock and never release captive beetles.

Sources: Plant Protection Station: Importing Scarabaeoidea (JA) / Plant Protection Station: Importing live insects (JA) / Ministry of the Environment: List of invasive alien species (JA) / Species+ CITES query (no listing)

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.