Diet

• Adults: Primarily feed on plant juices, sap and occasionally fruit or other plant material. Adults are generally nocturnal.

• Larvae: Live in the soil, where they feed on plant roots and decaying organic matter.

• The larval stage is therefore rarely encountered unless soil or decomposing plant material is disturbed.

Range

• Tomarus is a genus of rhinoceros beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae, tribe Pentodontini. The genus is native to the Americas, extending from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America into South America.

• It is frequently sighted in Zihua, particularly during the warmer and wetter months. Adults are strongly attracted to artificial lights, so they may turn up around outdoor lighting after dark.

Habitat

• Found in tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous forest, woodland, agricultural areas, gardens and disturbed vegetation.

• Around Zihua, check outdoor lights at night, especially after warm, humid weather or rainfall.

• Adults may also be found on vegetation or on the ground, while the larvae remain underground.

• Species such as T. sallaei are particularly associated with tropical and subtropical habitats and can be abundant beneath public lighting.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 15–30 mm (0.6–1.2 in), depending on species.

• Body robust, cylindrical and usually dark brown, reddish-brown or black.

• Males may have small horns or tubercles on the head and pronotum, although these are generally much less spectacular than those of the larger rhinoceros beetles.