Beetles in the Philippines
Written on May 20, 2026
The "uwang" is one of the few beetles called by name in the Philippines. The generic Filipino word for beetle is "salagubang". Although you can find various pictures of them online, nothing can compare to seeing one up close.
From experience, I can tell you that if one gets on your clothing, it's difficult to get it off without killing it. The variety found in the Philippines is the "Asiatic Rhinoceros Beetle". It may seem formidable and vicious, but appearances can be deceiving.
Uwangs have sharp claws, but those claws can only hurt you if you get pinched by them. Other than that, they're practically harmless. They also have horns, and there's a difference in the horns depending on whether they're male or female.
From what I understand, it's the strongest insect in the world. I'm not willing to test that assertion. I avoid most insects, including beetles.
Beetles of All Kinds
There are beetles in the Philippines that I've never seen anywhere else in the world. There are also beetles in the Philippines that could be considered "undocumented immigrants" from the United States, hitching rides on cargo ships and airplanes.
Of course, I'm sure they come from other places as well, like Korea, Japan, and China. There really isn't any way to control these little creatures without causing environmental damage.
They won't normally go where people go unless they're seeking a new food source. They usually only get into houses when people leave their doors open. The uwang is too big to fit under the bottom of most doors when the doors are properly closed.
It's important to have bug screens on window frames. During the cool months, windows aren't that critical, but bug screens are always indispensable, and not just to keep beetles out. I'm also talking about mosquitoes, dragonflies, and praying mantises.
Years ago, one of my young nieces was jumping around hysterically, crying, and whining simultaneously. It took a minute or more to realize which of the beetles had attached itself to the backside of the t-shirt she was wearing.
Removing the t-shirt from her body was far easier than removing the "uwang" from her t-shirt. It didn't want to let go.