Stag Beetle vs Scarce Stag Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Stag Beetle | Scarce Stag Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lucanus cervus | Platycerus caraboides |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Lucanidae | Lucanidae |
| Size | 25-75 mm (males with mandibles) | 9-13mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Stag Beetle
Europes largest beetle. Males have dramatically enlarged mandibles resembling antlers, used in wrestling contests for females. Larvae develop in rotting wood for 3-7 years.
Did You Know?
Male stag beetles spend up to seven years as larvae feeding on decaying wood underground before emerging for just a few weeks as adults to find a mate.
Scarce Stag Beetle
A small metallic blue-black stag beetle with modest mandibles. It develops in red-rotten beech wood.
Did You Know?
Despite being called scarce it is actually fairly common but overlooked due to its small size and dark coloring.