European Rhinoceros Beetle Oryctes nasicornis

The European Rhinoceros Beetle, despite it's name, is native to much of continental Europe (not the British Isles), Western and Central Asia (including Pakistan) and North Africa. The shiny, reddish brown beetle can reach 20-47mm long (males larger than females, among the largest in Europe, but smaller than Stag Beetles). Only the males have the horns, used for fighting other males. There are several subspecies over its range. Larvae eat rotting wood and decomposing vegetation.

The photos above were taken by Alexandra Makhnina in southeast Kazakhstan.