The centaurus beetle's adult morphology is strikingly similar to that of beetles from the genus Dynastes which originate from tropical America, which led to its initial classification to that genus.

Eventually, it was moved to its present genus to avoid confusion as even the genus Xylotrupes from the southeast Asian tropics have a similar form.

The larva of the centaurus beetle has a dark row of spots which is visible along the side of its body, known as the spiracles.

These are openings leading to its tracheal network, which is the insect equivalent of the vertebrate lung.

Spiracles are also present in the adult beetle and located along the sides of the abdomen; however, they have no distinct color and quite unnoticeable.