Steven Falk > Collections

Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012a

Lucanus cervus pair - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012a Lucanus cervus pair - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012b Lucanus cervus males - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012 Males Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012a Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012b Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012c Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012d Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012e Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012f Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012g Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012h Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012i Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012j Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012k Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012l Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012m Lucanus cervus male - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012n Lucanus cervus male head - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012a Lucanus cervus male head - Brockenhurst, New Forest 2012b

The male Stag Beetle is Britain's largest beetle (indeed one of our largest insects) and one of the most spectacular with its huge antler-like jaws. The largest specimens are about 7.5cm long. They have a black thorax and head but the wing cases and jaws are reddish-brown and the whole insect has a beautiful polished appearance. The jaws are completely harmless and primarily used for 'rutting' with other males to establish dominance and the right to mate with a female.

Females are somewhat smaller (up to 5cm long) and usually darker with small jaws and narrower heads. They still average larger than Lesser Stag Beetles but are shinier with narrower, less box-shaped heads.

The larvae develop in the decaying roots of various broadleaved trees, also the damper parts of log piles and bases of fence posts. Orchard trees are important in counties like Suffolk. Larval development can take up to 7 years and the mature larva (which can attain a length of 11cm!) eventually forms a large round cocoon deep underground.

Adults start to emerge in May and typically fly in early evening when the males produce an astonishing sight. With a bit of luck, you might find a breeding site (typically a decaying tree stump) and find fighting males plus nearby females. Adults can also be found feeding on sap runs.

The Stag Beetle used to be fairly frequent in south-east Britain but has been exhibiting a steady decline away from its strongholds in areas like the New Forest and parts of the Home Counties.

To discover more about the Stag Beetle and how you can help to conserve it, check out PTES's Great Stag Hunt: www.ptes.org/index.php?cat=58.

also their 2011 report:
www.ptes.org/files/1446_gsh_fi nal_report.pdf.

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