Stag Beetle (Family Lucanidae)
Although there are 1,300 species of beetle in this family, Lucanus cervus is the best know species. It is the largest terrestrial insect in Britain and is a shiny, robust insect with a black or reddish colouration. The males have enlarged, toothed mandibles, whilst females are smaller and have proportionately smaller mandibles.
Habitats
Stag Beetles are found in gardens, wooded parks and pasture woodland, or anywhere where there is a good supply of dead wood.
Behaviour
The male's massive jaws are use in combat to gain access to females, much like with deer use their antlers, which gives the species name. Stag beetles are active at dusk and have a slow, lumbering flight, making a distinctive low-pitched buzzing sound. The males fly more readily than the females.
Breeding
Females lay their eggs in decaying wood, and the hatched larvae take about 3 months to develop into adults.
Feeding
Adults feed on nectar and tree sap and larvae feed on rotting wood.
Status
Once quite common, Stag Beetle populations are in steep decline, and are now listed as a threatened species.