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Description.Adult male quite variable in size, 25-75 mm long, with antler-like mandibles. Female 30-45 mm long, with normal-sized mandibles. Both sexes more or less black with smooth dark brown elytra. The larva is a typical Scarab Beetle type (see above), whitish in colour, with a brown head.
Biology.
Mainly inhabits oak woodland. The adult beetles can fly and are most active at night. Although the male looks rather frightening with its large antlers, it is quite harmless because it cannot close them with any force. The smaller jaws of the female can give a much stronger nip. The male antlers are used mainly for wrestling with other males. Larvae are wood-borers, living in the root-stocks of rotting, deciduous tree stumps. Development takes at least five years.
(C) Warren Photography
Size: The male grows to about 90mms in length, including the antlers, and the female grows to approximately 60mms.
Distribution:
Rare. Mostly found in south east England.
Months Active:
May to August.
Habitat:
Woodlands and gardens.
Diet
Tree sap. The larvae eat rotting wood.
Features:
This is the largest beetle found in Britain, and is now, quite rare.
The main feature of the male are the large antler-like jaws, which give the beetle its name.
Males use them the mating season to fight with other males over territory. Each male tries to grab his opponent between his jaws, and then throw him.
Fully grown male stag beetles can normally be seen flying at dusk between May and August. The warmer temperatures at this time of year encourage them to look for a mate. They will drink tree sap, but do not eat, and will not grow at all. After mating the stag beetle dies.
The females can be recognised by the much smaller jaws. Although both the male and female beetles can give you a pinch, they are quite harmless. Females lay their eggs in, or near, rotten wood, and then die.
The larvae, or grubs, which hatch from the eggs, have cream coloured bodies with an orange head and legs. They live and feed in the rotting wood for up to six years. When fully grown, the larvae leave the wood to pupate in the soil.
This event occurs summer, while the weather is still warm, and lasts a few weeks. The fully grown beetle remains in the cocoon until the following summer when it emerges as an adult beetle.
