We love bugs a lot and we’re amazed by the many kinds out there. There are over 400,000 kinds of beetles. This is more than all the birds and mammals put together!
In this big beetle family, the Lucanidae group, known as stag beetles, is very special.
Stag beetles are famous for their huge jaws that look like antlers. People have been interested in them for a long time. Since 1460 AD, they have appeared in many art pieces. You can find stag beetles from all over the world in these artworks.
Looking into the different kinds of stag beetles helps us learn about them. There are more than a dozen species that are at risk of disappearing. They live mainly in Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia.
These beetles face dangers like being taken illegally, their homes being destroyed, and changes in the climate.
Stag Beetle Species Names
Stag beetles belong to the family Lucanidae and are known for their distinctive mandibles, especially in males, which resemble the antlers of a stag. Here is a list of some notable stag beetle species:
Genus Lucanus
- Lucanus cervus (European Stag Beetle)
- Lucanus elaphus (North American Stag Beetle)
- Lucanus capreolus (Reddish-brown Stag Beetle)
- Lucanus swinhoei
- Lucanus laminifer
- Lucanus maculifemoratus
- Lucanus formosanus
Genus Dorcus
- Dorcus titanus (Giant Stag Beetle)
- Dorcus parallelus (Parallel Stag Beetle)
- Dorcus curvidens
- Dorcus hopei
- Dorcus alcides
- Dorcus antaeus
- Dorcus metacostatus
Genus Prosopocoilus
- Prosopocoilus giraffa (Giraffe Stag Beetle)
- Prosopocoilus savagei
- Prosopocoilus astacoides
- Prosopocoilus dissimilis
- Prosopocoilus inclinatus
Genus Aegus
- Aegus chelifer
- Aegus laevicollis
- Aegus javanicus
Genus Platycerus
- Platycerus caraboides
- Platycerus caprea
- Platycerus marginalis
Genus Sinodendron
- Sinodendron cylindricum
Genus Ceruchus
- Ceruchus piceus
- Ceruchus chrysomelinus
Genus Nigidius
- Nigidius mutilatus
- Nigidius parryi
Genus Figulus
- Figulus binodulus
- Figulus sublaevis
Genus Rhaetulus
- Rhaetulus crenatus
- Rhaetulus didieri
This list includes some of the more well-known and notable species within the Lucanidae family. The family comprises hundreds of species across various genera, each with unique characteristics and distributions.
Magnificent Stag Beetle
Stag beetles are amazing bugs. The males have big mandibles that look like deer antlers. These are for fighting over females in the breeding season. They are the biggest beetles in Europe, with males up to 7.5 centimeters long.
Adult stag beetles don’t eat. But, their babies, the larvae, help forests a lot. They eat decaying wood. Stag beetles take many years to grow fully. They spend most of their life underground. Then, they come out as adults for a short time to mate.
Stag Beetle Fast Facts
Knowing quick facts about stag beetles is helpful for learning more about them. Here are some important points:
- Size: Male stag beetles can measure between 35-75mm long. Females are usually 30-50mm.
- Larval growth: Stag beetle larvae can grow up to 11 centimeters long.
- Lifespan: Stag beetles live for about 3-7 years.
- Conservation status: They are Near Threatened on the European Red List of Saproxylic Beetles.
- Sexual dimorphism: Females are smaller than males and don’t have big mandibles.
- Habitat preferences: They live mostly in Southeast England. But, you can also find them in parts of the southwest coast and the Severn Valley. They like woodlands but can also be in other places with dead wood.
- Behavior: Female stag beetles can fly. They look for places to lay eggs on the ground. Adult stag beetles are more active at twilight. They fly to find mates from May to July.
- Reproduction: They mate several times. Males usually die a few weeks after becoming adults.
- Ecological role: Stag beetles help by eating dead wood. Their larvae also eat fungi in the wood.
Learning these facts helps us value stag beetles. We know more about their special ways and the challenges they face.
Stag Beetle Species Varieties
Exploring the Lucanidae Family
The Lucanidae family is known as stag beetles. It has many species all over the world. There are around 1,200 species. They are grouped into four subfamilies. This shows us a lot about beetles, insect life, and the study of insects, called beetle taxonomy, insect biodiversity, and entomology studies.
The European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) is very famous. It is the biggest stag beetle in Europe. It looks a lot like the North American stag beetle, Lucanus elaphus. This North American beetle even gets its name from the Latin word for the red deer.
In the Lucanidae family, we find more stag beetle types. Each type is unique. For example, the Elephant Stag Beetle from Kentucky is very big. It can grow up to 60mm. But the Ceruchus piceus is small. It is only 8-15mm. It has antennae that look bent, which is rare for stag beetles.
Stag beetles teach us a lot about other insects and studies about insects. They have big jaws and come in different sizes. Stag beetles are very important in forests. They are of interest to scientists and people who love insects.
In different parts of the world, stag beetles have special names. These names show their special features and are important in local culture. For instance, in Germany, people call them “Hirschkäfer.” In France, names like “Cerf-volant” or “Turo” are used. Depending on where you are in the UK, you could hear “Billywitch,” “Cherry-eaters,” or “Thunder-beetle.” Learning these names helps us know more about the cultural and beetle diversity.
The Life Cycle and Habitats of Stag Beetles
Stag beetles are very interesting animals. They have a special life cycle that lasts for years. They spend most of their life as larvae, underground, eating old wood.
Female stag beetles put their eggs in rotting wood. The larvae can take a long time, up to six years, to become adults. This change is called metamorphosis.
After many years, stag beetles become adults. This phase lasts only a few weeks. In this short time, they focus on finding a mate and laying eggs.
These amazing beetles can be found in many places. This includes woodlands, orchards, and even in cities where there is enough old wood. Knowing about their life cycle and where they live is important to help protect them.
To save stag beetles, it’s key to look after their homes. These homes are dead and decaying wood. Stag beetles are the UK’s biggest beetles. Their larvae can be up to 11cm long.
The males have big jaws, almost as long as 75mm. The adult females are a bit smaller, about 30-50mm long.
Stag beetles have a special connection with storms in stories. The adult males fly with their wings wide, making a loud sound. Seeing these beetles is a real joy.
To help these special animals, we must take care of their homes. Their homes are disappearing because of human activities. But, by leaving tree stumps or building wood piles, we can help stag beetles.
By doing these things, we support the place of stag beetles in our world. They can live on in our places, from forests to gardens.
Conclusion
We’re taking a good look at stag beetle names and the Lucanidae family. They show us an amazing world of beetle types and insect kinds. These big beetles, with their cool jaws, teach us a lot. Knowing how to spot them and help them survive is very important. We want them to keep living with us.
Looking at many stag beetle kinds, we start to love nature more. Taking insect photos and helping to take care of them is key. Let’s keep loving stag beetles and all nature’s creatures. They need our help to stay safe.
Studying stag beetles shows nature’s huge possibilities. It makes us see life’s beautiful, detailed picture. Let’s care for our world and all the tiny creatures in it. Stag beetles show us how amazing nature is. They teach us to take good care of our planet.
