Yan Bingwu (Chinese, B. 1954) & Yang Wenqing (Chinese, B. 1951) "Eastern Hercules Beetle" Signed upper right. Original Watercolor on Silk/Rice Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This watercolor appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the 33c Eastern Hercules Beetle Classic Collection Series stamp issued October 1, 1999. The Eastern Hercules Beetles -- Dynastes tityus -- belong to the Scarabaeida family and the subfamily Dynastinae. Other beetles of this subfamily -- which include some of the largest North American beetles -- are the rhinoceros beetle and elephant beetle. The Eastern Hercules Beetle -- also known as the unicorn beetle -- is the largest of the eastern species. Greenish-gray and mottled with black, this insect is common in the southeast, and ranges as far north as southern Ohio and Indiana. Like other scarab beetles, the Eastern Hercules Beetle has an ovate, stout body and makes a loud buzzing when it flies. Scarab beetles are scavengers and typically feed on decaying vegetation, or on the dung from grazing animals. They're important in recycling organic matter and disposing of disease-breeding waste. When breeding, the male and female work together to roll dung into a ball. Once the dung is buried, the female shreds it and molds it into a solid cone-shaped mass, tamping the surface until it becomes hard. The cone neck is left hollow and an egg is laid in the cavity. When the larva hatches, it feeds on the cone until only the hard outer rind remains. Image Size: 13.75 x 12.25 in. Overall Size: 14.75 x 12.25 in. Unframed. (B16498)