Goliathus albosignatus

Goliathus albosignatus can reach a length of about 45–70 mm (1.8–2.8 in) in males, and about 40–50 mm (1.6–2.0 in) in females.[http://beetlespace.wz.cz/e_Goliathus_albosignatus_kirkianus.html Beetlespace] There are distinctive non-uniform bands of black that stretch horizontally across their elytra to differentiate it from other species. While Goliath beetles are among the largest beetles on Earth, this is the smallest of the species in this genus and not as commonly found as the others.{{Cite web|title=Goliathus - Goliathus albosignatus gallery|url=http://www.naturalworlds.org/goliathus/galleries/albosignatus/Goliathus_albosignatus_gallery.htm|access-date=2021-11-03|website=www.naturalworlds.org}} Sexually dimorphic traits are also present in Goliath beetles and include males having a Y-shaped horn protruding from their head to assist with confrontation between males, while in females the horn is absent and their wedge-shaped head is fit for digging the burrows where eggs are to be laid.{{Cite web|title=Goliathus - The African Goliath Beetles|url=http://www.naturalworlds.org/goliathus/index.htm|access-date=2021-11-03|website=www.naturalworlds.org}}

Development of Goliathus albosignatus is carried out in hyrax dung, a trait shared with Fornasinius species, but which does not occur among any other Goliath beetles.{{Cite journal|last=De Palma |first=Michele |display-authors=et al|title=Barcoding analysis and taxonomic revision of Goliathus Lamarck, 1802 (Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae).|journal=Entomologia Africana|volume=25. 1 (2020)|pages=11–32}} Their diet consists of high protein as larvae, but after pupating into adulthood, they have been known to feed on sap from Acacia.{{Cite web|title=Goliathus - Goliathus albosignatus|url=http://www.naturalworlds.org/goliathus/species/Goliathus_albosignatus.htm|access-date=2021-11-03|website=www.naturalworlds.org}} Other behaviour of note is that they will gather specifically on marula trees.

Goliathus albosignatus is taxonomically separated from the other species in Goliathus according to barcoding analysis results that were published in Entomologia Africana in January 2020. Characteristics differentiating Goliathus albosignatus that are mentioned include "hammer-shaped post-clypeal horns of the male, the elongated tarsi, and the presence of cretaceous marks on the pygidium".{{Cite journal|last=De Palma |first=Michele |display-authors=et al|title=Barcoding analysis and taxonomic revision of Goliathus Lamarck, 1802 (Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae).|journal=Entomologia Africana|volume=25. 1 (2020)|pages=11–32}}

The tree resulting from the analysis is listed below:

{{clade

|label1= Goliathus

|1={{clade

|label1=

|1={{clade

|label1=

|1={{clade

|1=Goliathus g. goliatus

|2=Goliathus goliatus meleagris

}}

|label2=

|2={{clade

|1=Goliathus orientialis usambarensis

|2=Goliathus regius

}}

}}

|2=Goliathus albosignatus

}}

}}

There are 2 subspecies:

• Goliathus albosignatus albosignatus Boheman 1857
• Goliathus albosignatus kirkianus Gray, 1864

• Goliathus albosignatus albosignatus:

Distribution: Middle to South Zimbabwe and North-Eastern South Africa; Size: ♂ 40 – 68 mm; ♀ 45 – 52 mm.

• Goliathus albosignatus kirkianus:

Distribution: Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania; Size: ♂ 40 – 71 mm; ♀ 45 – 55 mm.

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Category:Cetoniinae

Category:Beetles described in 1857

Category:Taxa named by Carl Henrik Boheman

Category:Beetles of Africa