Longhorn Beetles and Allies - Superfamily: Cerambycoidea
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There are currently four families recognized within the Cerambycoidea superfamily. Of these four only the Cerambycidae are represented in Australia. Worldwide the number of species exceeds 35,000 and this number is still growing as more and more are discovered, described and named. Taxonomy for these beetles is still quite fluid and species are being moved around a bit now and then as more is learned about them. The Titan Beetle (Titanus giganteus) a species within the Cerambycoidea, is generally accepted as the largest beetle in the world with a total length of 16.7 cm having been recorded. (*)
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Family: Cerambicidae
(*) A male Hercules Beetle (Dynastes hercules) has been recorded with a total length of just over 18 cms. but about half of that was taken up by the horn protruding from its' thorax. The body of the Titan Beetle is therefore much more massive.
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