Insects · La Saladita, Guerrero

Occidental Elephant Beetle

Megasoma occidentale

Spanish: Escarabajo elefante occidental

Megasoma occidentale is a species of scarab beetle. It is endemic to Mexico and is known from the Oaxaca and Sinaloa states. Adults are attracted by light. Larvae have been collected in rotten coconut palm stems. Most often recorded in Nov, Dec, Oct, Jan.

TaxonomyInsecta › Coleoptera › Scarabaeidae

Local records5 research-grade observations within about 50 km of La Saladita (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones)

Global records372 on iNaturalist

Recorded here2009 – 2025

Months recorded near La Saladita

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Recent local sightings

2025-12-20 — observation by carrandy
2022-10-29 — observation by susanaherrerarosas
2022-01-01 — observation by yolcaquixtiani
2011-11-24 — observation by ana_ozomahtli
2009-11-20 — observation by patricia_ramirez_bastida

Interactive card with more photos, sounds and similar species Insects guide iNaturalist Wikipedia

Cite as: “Occidental Elephant Beetle (Megasoma occidentale) at La Saladita”, La Saladita Field Guide, lasaladita.com/species/megasoma-occidentale/, updated 2026-09-26. Observation counts and months come from iNaturalist research-grade records within about 50 km of 17.8375°N, 101.7606°W (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones); summary text from Wikipedia where present.