European stag beetle
The European stag beetle, found across various regions of Europe, is notable for its distinct appearance reminiscent of a stag deer, particularly in the male’s enlarged pincers. These pincers are employed in combat among males during mating rituals, as they compete for female attention. Males typically measure between two to three inches in length, while females are smaller, ranging from one to two inches. The beetle's body is divided into three main sections: head, thorax, and abdomen, with the male's head being larger and more pronounced.
As herbivores, European stag beetles primarily feed on leaves, decaying wood, and tree sap using a retractable tongue. Their mating season occurs from late May to early August, following hibernation. After mating, females lay fertilized eggs in decaying wood and subsequently die, with both genders typically having short life spans. The larvae, which can last three to seven years in their development, feed on decomposing timber before transforming into adults. Due to threats such as habitat loss and climate change, the European stag beetle is considered a near threatened species.
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European stag beetle
As its name suggests the European stag beetle is found throughout various parts of Europe. It is given the name stag for its likeness to a stag deer. Like the enlarged antlers of the stag, or male, deer, the male European stag beetle has enlarged pincers, or claws. Also like the stag deer, this beetle uses its enlarged claws to fight rival males for mates.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Lucanidae
Genus: Lucanus
Species: Cervus
The European stag beetle varies in size between the male and female. The male typically grows to be two to three inches (five to 7 1/2 centimeters) long, while the female is only one to two inches (three to five centimeters) long. In addition to its overall size, the male European stag beetle is longer than the female because of his enlarged head and jaws. The male European stag beetle has extremely large pincers, or pinching claws, attached to the front of his head. These claws are actually too large to be used to catch prey and are instead used to battle other males for mates.
Like other insects, the European stag beetle is divided into the three main body parts of head, thorax, or middle section, and abdomen, or lower section. The head of this insect varies greatly between the species. While the female has a small, rounded head with tiny pincers for catching and holding food, the head and pincers of the male are large and extended. The heads of both genders are shiny and black. Behind the head, the European stag beetle has its thorax. The front pair of legs extends from this section. The largest part of the European stag beetle's body is its abdomen. This part is shiny and violet-brown with a crack down its middle. This crack is where the two parts of the European stag beetle's wing case come together. Each of these two parts is called an elytron, and together they are known as elytra. Beneath the elytra are the functional wings of the European stag beetle which it uses to fly. The other four legs of the beetle extend from beneath the creature's abdomen.
The European stag beetle is an herbivore, or plant-eating animal. In spite of the distinct pincers of the European stag beetle, this insect feeds on leaves, decaying wood, and tree sap. It uses its ligula, or retractable tongue, to lick the sap and nutrients from trees.
Mating season for the European stag beetle takes place in late May through early August. Often it occurs shortly after the beetle emerges from its hibernation, or winter rest. The courtship ritual begins with the male European stag beetle parading in front of the female with his pincers raised and his mouthparts open. If more than one male is interested in the same female, the males fight to see which is the stronger beetle. Two male European stag beetles fight by butting heads like angry deer or sheep. The two beetles may lock pincers until one of the males overcomes by throwing the other to the ground. Once it is determined which male is the stronger, that male mates with the female. The male European stag beetle fertilizes the female's eggs by internal fertilization. After mating, the female lays her fertilized eggs in decaying wood and then dies. The male also dies shortly after mating. Eventually, the eggs hatch into cream-colored larvae with dark brown heads and wrinkled bodies. A European stag beetle larva may remain a larva for three to seven years. During this time the larva feeds on old, rotten timber. At some point the larval European stag beetle wraps itself in a cocoon and develops into an adult. It generally remains in the cocoon throughout hibernation and emerges in its adult form in the early summer.
The total life span of this beetle is not known for certain, but it may be a little more than the three to seven years of the insect's larval stage. European stag beetles may only live a few weeks beyond this stage. Bats, birds, and insect-eating mammals may also prey on the European stag beetle. This short life span, as well as habitat loss and climate change, have caused them to become a near threatened species.
Bibliography
“Stag Beetle Facts.” People's Trust for Endangered Species, 2024, ptes.org/campaigns/stag-beetles-2/stag-beetle-facts. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
“Stag Beetle Facts for Kids!” National Geographic Kids, 2024, www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/insects/stag-beetle-facts. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.