Japanese rhinoceros beetle

Allomyrina dichotoma, also known as Japanese rhinoceros beetle, Japanese horned beetle, or kabutomushi (カブトムシ, lit. 'Kabuto insect'), is a species of rhinoceros beetle. They are commonly found in continental Asia in countries such as China, the Korean peninsula, Japan, and Taiwan. In these areas, this species of beetle is often found in broad-leaved forests with tropical or sub-tropical climates. This beetle is well known for the prominent cephalic horn found on males. Male Japanese rhinoceros beetles will use this horn to fight other males for territory and access to female mating partners. Upon contact, males will attempt to flip each other onto their backs or off of their feeding tree. In response to selective pressures, smaller male A. dichotoma have adapted a "sneak-like behavior". These smaller beetles will attempt to avoid physical confrontation with larger males and try to mate with females.

The prominent horn on the males makes this species a popular model organism for the study of sexual dimorphic traits. This beetle also has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, which inspired research studies to corroborate its use. To the surprise of many researchers, compounds found in the extracts of A. dichotoma larvae have proven to exhibit anti-obesity effects as well as antibiotic properties.