A flower beetle than never disappoint - Mecynorhina (Chelorinella) savagei

[ItalianTermiteMan]

It's time to share with you another specimen from my collection: Mecynorhina (Chelorhinella) savagei, a beautiful flower beetle from central Africa related to the larger and even more impressive goliath beetles (genus Goliathus). This one is a male and sport three majestic cephalic horns, the main of them bifurcated at the apex; while these are present only in males both sexes share the impressive coloration. Tough much less commonly than some other members of its genus like M. ugandensis or M. torquata, this species is also kept as a pet in the beetle hobby.

Specimen's country of origin: Camerun (p.s. not collected by me!).

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Downright lovely

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Impressive beetle species!! it’s like a mini Goliath !! Thanks for sharing

 

[PillipedeBreeder]

Hello,
it appears you haven’t been up to date on the latest work done on Mecynorhina. I can‘t blame you, taxonomy is a pain in the …pygidium.

Turns out that „Mecynorhina savagei“ is actually a complex of three morphological very similar, but separate species. The genetic differences are substantial.
Now, „Mecynorhina savagei“ only refers to populations in the western range of the old „savagei“, such as from Ghana, Togo or Ivory Coast. What you have, and what’s also bred in captivity is now Mecynorhina romyae, well known from Cameroon. The eastern most specimens, e.g. from Congo belong to Mecynorhina bouyeri.

I hope this helps.

Best regards

 

[ItalianTermiteMan]

Hello,
it appears you haven’t been up to date on the latest work done on Mecynorhina. I can‘t blame you, taxonomy is a pain in the …pygidium.

Turns out that „Mecynorhina savagei“ is actually a complex of three morphological very similar, but separate species. The genetic differences are substantial.
Now, „Mecynorhina savagei“ only refers to populations in the western range of the old „savagei“, such as from Ghana, Togo or Ivory Coast. What you have, and what’s also bred in captivity is now Mecynorhina romyae, well known from Cameroon. The eastern most specimens, e.g. from Congo belong to Mecynorhina bouyeri.

I hope this helps.

Best regards

Thanks for the update, much appreciated! And i also agree on the pygidium part