
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Chalcosoma moellenkampi
Three-horned rhinoceros beetle endemic to Borneo. Narrower and deeper-bodied than its congeners, with parallel thoracic horns. A highland species that dislikes heat and needs slightly cooler management.
Chalcosoma moellenkampi, also called the Borneo giant beetle, occurs only on Borneo, in highlands of 1,000-2,000m around Mount Kinabalu, where larvae feed in fallen and rotting wood and take about 18 months to mature. Males measure 60-115mm, rarely exceeding 130mm to the tip of the head horn, and females 45-60mm. The body is narrow and deep, and the thoracic horns run parallel from a triangular pronotum, which distinguishes it at a glance from the Caucasus and Atlas beetles; large males have a longer head horn without the terminal swelling or mid-horn teeth of those species. Collecting is restricted in national parks, so imports are limited. Care follows the other Chalcosoma, but as a highland species it is kept slightly cooler at 20-25C, and males may kill females, so adults are housed singly. Breeder logs give larval periods of 14-18 months for males and 14-16 months for females with an egg-laying period of 1.5-2 months. The BE-KUWA captive record is 107.3mm (2025), and as with all Chalcosoma, producing large long-horned males is the hard part.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Moellenkamp's Beetle lives Adults 6-12 months, larvae 14-18 months.
The Moellenkamp's Beetle grows to Males 60-115mm (rarely over 130mm), females 45-60mm.
The ideal temperature for the Moellenkamp's Beetle is 20〜25℃.
Origin
Borneo (highlands of 1,000-2,000m around Mount Kinabalu)
Sources: Tsukiyono Kinokoen: rearing Chalcosoma moellenkampi larvae / Wikipedia (ja): Chalcosoma moellenkampi / Wikipedia (en): Moellenkampi beetle
Captive record (♂)
107.3 mm
Record source: BE-KUWA 2025 edition (Moellenkampi, captive 107.3mm, Zheng Zhongren, 2025; total length incl. horn)
Notable localities
Monotypic, with no subspecies. Collecting is restricted in the national parks of its range, so wild stock is scarce. Lengths include the horn.
Generation codes
Sources: BE-KUWA certified breeding records (Mushi-sha, 2025 edition)
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.
Accepted name: Chalcosoma moellenkampi Kolbe, 1900
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Plant Protection Act: Live Scarabaeoidea beetles (rhinoceros, stag and flower beetles) may be imported into Japan only with a species-name certificate issued by the exporting government under the Invasive Alien Species Act, and only through Narita, Chubu, Kansai, Fukuoka or Kagoshima airports. This species is not a designated invasive alien species and can be imported with the certificate.
Sources: Ministry of the Environment (Japan): Importing live Scarabaeoidea beetles / CITES Appendices (species not listed)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Lifespan
Adults 6-12 months, larvae 14-18 months
Size
Males 60-115mm (rarely over 130mm), females 45-60mm
Temperature
20〜25℃
Humidity
60〜80%
Beetle jelly (adults), fermented flake soil (larvae)
As a highland species keep at 20-25C, slightly cooler than the Caucasus beetle, with air conditioning in summer. Avoid waterlogged substrate.
Use deep, firmly packed well-fermented or black-soil substrate; laying continues for 1.5-2 months. Both sexes tend to burrow.
Highly combative; males may attack and kill females. Pair briefly under observation and otherwise house singly.
Adults live 6-12 months; larvae take 14-18 months (males) or 14-16 months (females), so sexes often emerge out of step.
Larvae often yield short-horned adults despite large bodies; producing long-horned giants is the main challenge. Imports need a species-name certificate.
Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.
The ideal temperature for Moellenkamp's Beetle is 20〜25℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Moellenkamp's Beetle is Adults 6-12 months, larvae 14-18 months. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Moellenkamp's Beetle typically reaches Males 60-115mm (rarely over 130mm), females 45-60mm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Moellenkamp's Beetle feeds on: Beetle jelly (adults), fermented flake soil (larvae). Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Moellenkamp's Beetle varies significantly depending on bloodline, size, captive-bred generation, and sex. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 16, 2026