Larvae take one or more years to develop. Adults can be found at lights in early summer. 2. Currently working on a characterization of the stag beetle, Lucanus elaphus, within Virginia based on observation data recorded here on iNaturalist. Giant Stag Beetle (Lucanus elaphus) Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Giant Stag Beetle. 3. 1. Photo by Drees. Approximately one third of all forest insect species are saproxylic, meaning they depend on dying or dead wood. Stag beetle, Lucanus elaphus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Lucanidae), male. Little is known about adult mortality sources, aside the fact that they are eaten by several bird species (Kletecka & Prisada, 1993; J. I. This species ranges west into Oklahoma and Nebraska but does not occur in Colorado. Posts about Lucanus elaphus written by Maria dB. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. A well-known stag beetle found in the eastern United States is the giant stag beetle, Lucanus elaphus Fabricius. Photo by Jackman. Adult life Adult life ranges from fifteen days to one month (Paulian, 1988), as supported by our own observations of imagoes kept in captivity. (Presumably males battle there.) The name refers to the resemblance of the antennae to deer antlers. Females might be confused with females of the reddish-brown stag beetle but have darker legs and a smooth thorax shield. Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students.ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. The hefty body and extended mandibles make the Giant Stag Beetle the largest Stag in North America. The giant, elk, American, or elephant stag beetle (Lucanus elaphus) is enormous, the males reaching 1½ inches in length without the mandibles, and to nearly 2½ with them. Species Lucanus elaphus - Giant Stag Beetle, ... Life Cycle . Larvae feed on decaying logs, stumps, where adults can be found in spring, early summer. Horned passalus or “betsy-beetle”, Odontotaenius disjunctus (Illiger) (Coleoptera: Passalidae). In addition to their importance to biodiversity, many of these species provide key ecosystem services – including the breakdown of woody debris and controlling pest populations. The European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus, is thought to be widely distributed across its range, but a detailed description of its occurrence is lacking. Researchers in 41 countries were contacted and information sought on various life history characteristics of the insect. Males have greatly enlarged jaws that may be as long the rest of the body and larvae develop in oak stumps. … Eggs are laid in crevices of moist, decaying wood. Data on adult body size were collected from seven countries. Photo by Drees. Lucanus capreolus, the reddish-brown stag beetle, is a beetle of the family Lucanidae.The specific name capreolus is derived from Latin, meaning "roe deer" (capreolus literally means "little goat"). From the ages of about 8-19 years, I lived in a house that had a nice backyard and was not too far … Stag beetle, Lucanus placidus Say (Coleoptera: Lucanidae), female. Overview Northern Virginia based naturalist interested in the distribution and ecology of Lucanidae (Insecta: Coleoptera). Summary. 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