Dorcus Hyperion Hyperion
The Dorcus Hyperion Hyperion, once believed to inhabit only Myanmar, is now also available as specimens from India. The upper wings of the male Hyperion have a distinctive reddish hue. However, there are defining characteristics of the male Hyperion. One is the inner tooth at the base of the mandibles. As indicated by its Japanese name “Onotsuki-Ookuwagata,” it has an axe-shaped inner tooth at the base of its mandibles. Another notable feature is the spiral-shaped genitalia observed during the pupal stage of the male. This "spiral tube" is sure to surprise you. The upper wings of the female have coarse punctures. Identifying the female Hyperion can be extremely difficult, as distinguishing it from Tityus hirata or Reich hirata is challenging. Therefore, obtaining a bred and successive generation individual might be better than acquiring a wild-caught specimen.
As for egg-laying, it seems relatively easy. There are cases where a single female can produce up to 70 offspring. The temperature range for the egg-laying setup is between 22–26°C, and the beetles are not particularly selective about the egg-laying wood, so softer wood should be sufficient. However, as Hyperion beetles may prefer either wood or substrate for egg-laying, using finely fermented substrate is advisable. The egg-laying process is similar to that of the Antaeus beetle.
Regarding larval rearing, Hyperion larvae differ from those of other genera in that a high percentage do not easily enter mushroom-based cultures. Once they do adapt to the culture, it is reassuring, but if they do not respond well, switching to substrate rearing may be a better option. The larvae of Hyperion are delicate and prone to dying, so caution is needed. Males take about one year to mature into adults, while females take a little over six months. The feeding period after emergence typically begins around three months later.
Named after Saturn’s moon, Hyperion, this beetle is as beautiful as its namesake. Although there are still many mysteries surrounding this beetle, why not take on the challenge of raising one?
