unicorn beetle

unicorn beetle

▪ insect
      (Dynastes tityus), a large, easily recognized insect of the Dynastinae subfamily of the beetle family Scarabaeidae (order Coleoptera). The unicorn beetle is closely related to the rhinoceros and elephant beetles. Hornlike structures on the thorax (region behind the head) and on the head of the male (usually lacking in the females) make it conspicuous.

      The unicorn beetle is about 62 mm (2.4 inches) in length and is found in northern temperate regions. The function or evolutionary value of the horns is not yet known; they can give a strong pinch, however. The larvae can damage plant roots; adults usually live under rotting bark.

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  • Unicorn beetle — Taxobox name = Unicorn beetle image width = 250px image caption = female regnum = Animalia phylum = Arthropoda classis = Insecta ordo = Coleoptera familia = Scarabaeidae subfamilia = Dynastinae genus = Dynastes species = D. tityus binomial =… …   Wikipedia

  • unicorn beetle — noun : any of various large beetles (as some scarabaeids) having a hornlike prominence on the head or prothorax …   Useful english dictionary

  • Unicorn — U ni*corn, n. [OE. unicorne, F. unicorne, L. unicornis one horned, having a single horn; unus one + cornu a horn; cf. L. unicornuus a unicorn. See {One}, and {Horn}.] 1. A fabulous animal with one horn; the monoceros; often represented in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • unicorn bird — Unicorn U ni*corn, n. [OE. unicorne, F. unicorne, L. unicornis one horned, having a single horn; unus one + cornu a horn; cf. L. unicornuus a unicorn. See {One}, and {Horn}.] 1. A fabulous animal with one horn; the monoceros; often represented in …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Unicorn fish — Unicorn U ni*corn, n. [OE. unicorne, F. unicorne, L. unicornis one horned, having a single horn; unus one + cornu a horn; cf. L. unicornuus a unicorn. See {One}, and {Horn}.] 1. A fabulous animal with one horn; the monoceros; often represented in …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Unicorn moth — Unicorn U ni*corn, n. [OE. unicorne, F. unicorne, L. unicornis one horned, having a single horn; unus one + cornu a horn; cf. L. unicornuus a unicorn. See {One}, and {Horn}.] 1. A fabulous animal with one horn; the monoceros; often represented in …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • unicorn prominent — Unicorn U ni*corn, n. [OE. unicorne, F. unicorne, L. unicornis one horned, having a single horn; unus one + cornu a horn; cf. L. unicornuus a unicorn. See {One}, and {Horn}.] 1. A fabulous animal with one horn; the monoceros; often represented in …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Unicorn root — Unicorn U ni*corn, n. [OE. unicorne, F. unicorne, L. unicornis one horned, having a single horn; unus one + cornu a horn; cf. L. unicornuus a unicorn. See {One}, and {Horn}.] 1. A fabulous animal with one horn; the monoceros; often represented in …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Unicorn shell — Unicorn U ni*corn, n. [OE. unicorne, F. unicorne, L. unicornis one horned, having a single horn; unus one + cornu a horn; cf. L. unicornuus a unicorn. See {One}, and {Horn}.] 1. A fabulous animal with one horn; the monoceros; often represented in …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Unicorn whale — Unicorn U ni*corn, n. [OE. unicorne, F. unicorne, L. unicornis one horned, having a single horn; unus one + cornu a horn; cf. L. unicornuus a unicorn. See {One}, and {Horn}.] 1. A fabulous animal with one horn; the monoceros; often represented in …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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