
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Mecynorrhina polyphemus
A large flower beetle of the rainforests from West to Central Africa. Males carry forward-projecting horns and velvety colouring, while the hornless females are glossy. Among flower beetles it is regarded as an easy species to breed on.
Mecynorhina polyphemus was described by Fabricius in 1781 and lives in dense tropical African forest, where it feeds freely on fruit and on sap running from wounds in trees. The sexes differ sharply: males carry horns and a flat, velvety finish, while the hornless females are glossy with prismatic colour. Males run 35-80 mm and females 35-55 mm. Larvae develop in decomposing log compost, and the third instar builds an ovoid cocoon attached to a firm surface, sometimes to the glass of the container, which lets the keeper watch the change. Beetlebreeding.ch rates it a very good beginners species and says larvae can be raised on a wood-and-leaf substrate. Additives such as silkworm powder or cat food can be used to push for larger beetles, but they readily bring mites and mould.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Polyphemus Flower Beetle lives Adults 3-6 months.
The Polyphemus Flower Beetle grows to Males 35-80 mm / females 35-55 mm (nominate males 44-72 mm and females 41-50 mm; subspecies confluens males 42-80 mm and females 42-55 mm).
Origin
West and Central Africa (the nominate form in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana; subspecies confluens in the DR Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon and Uganda)
Lifespan
Adults 3-6 months
Size
Males 35-80 mm / females 35-55 mm (nominate males 44-72 mm and females 41-50 mm; subspecies confluens males 42-80 mm and females 42-55 mm)
Sources: Mecynorhina polyphemus - Wikipedia (EN; size, dimorphism, feeding on fruit and sap, larvae in log compost, cocoon, ranges and sizes of the two subspecies) / Mecynorhina - Wikipedia (EN; Mecynorrhina is an invalid misspelling under the ICZN, Chelorrhina and Megalorhina are subgenera, five-subgenus arrangement) / Ben's Beetle Breeding Pages - Chelorrhina polyphemus confluens (rated a beginners species; wood-leaf substrate, additives, drier conditions at pupation, few eggs) / GBIF species page for Mecynorhina polyphemus (distribution and occurrence records by country)
Notable localities
Regional subspecies
The BE-KUWA certified records cover stag beetles and rhinoceros beetles, not the Cetoniinae, so this species has no record there. The subspecies confluens was described by Kraatz in 1890.
Generation codes
Sources: Mecynorhina polyphemus - Wikipedia (EN; size, dimorphism, feeding on fruit and sap, larvae in log compost, cocoon, ranges and sizes of the two subspecies) / Ben's Beetle Breeding Pages - Chelorrhina polyphemus confluens (rated a beginners species; wood-leaf substrate, additives, drier conditions at pupation, few eggs)
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
Accepted name: Mecynorrhina polyphemus (Fabricius, 1781)
Synonyms: Mecynorhina polyphemus (Fabricius, 1781), Chelorrhina polyphemus (Fabricius, 1781), Scarabaeus polyphemus Fabricius, 1781
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Plant Protection Act: When importing live specimens of Scarabaeoidea (including rhinoceros beetles, stag beetles, flower beetles, etc.), a species identification certificate issued by the exporting country government agency or equivalent must be attached in accordance with the Invasive Species Act (import ports are limited to Narita, Chubu, Kansai, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima airports). This species itself is not a designated invasive species, and import is possible upon submission of the certificate.
Sources: Ministry of the Environment, Invasive Species Act: "Guidance for Those Importing Live Insects in Scarabaeoidea" / CITES Appendix (checklist.cites.org)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Find listings for this species
Temperature
20〜28℃
Humidity
60〜80%
Fruit, tree sap and beetle jelly
It comes from rainforest, so keep it at room temperature with the substrate moist, and let it run slightly drier through pupation, which is said to reduce losses.
Larvae grow on a substrate of rotten wood and leaves. To push for large beetles, additives such as silkworm powder, cat food or the larvae of other non-carnivorous species can be used, but they readily bring mites and mould, so watch the amount and the freshness. The one snag is that females lay very few eggs.
Males fight with their horns, so keep adults singly and put a pair together only for breeding. The larvae can be raised communally as flower beetle larvae usually are, but a crowded container makes failed pupations more likely.
Because the final instar builds an ovoid cocoon attached to a firm surface, leave the container undisturbed once pupation starts.
Importing live beetles requires the species identification certificate demanded for live Scarabaeoidea. The nominate form and subspecies confluens differ in both range and size, so do not breed unlabelled stock together.
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The average lifespan of Polyphemus Flower Beetle is Adults 3-6 months. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Polyphemus Flower Beetle typically reaches Males 35-80 mm / females 35-55 mm (nominate males 44-72 mm and females 41-50 mm; subspecies confluens males 42-80 mm and females 42-55 mm) as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Polyphemus Flower Beetle feeds on: Fruit, tree sap and beetle jelly. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Polyphemus Flower 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 17, 2026