What is the origin of the name 'Stag Beetle'?

The stag beetle was named for its resemblance to the 'kuwagata', which are the ornamental antlers found on the helmets of samurai during the feudal era in Japan. The beetle’s large mandibles resemble these decorations, leading to its name. In English, the beetle’s large mandibles are likened to a deer's antlers, hence the name 'stag beetle'.

Why do stag beetles live there?

Stag beetles inhabit deciduous forests where there are many trees such as oak and chestnut that produce sweet sap. They are particularly fond of tree sap and use their antennae to detect the scent of sap while active.

What do stag beetles eat?

Stag beetles feed on the sap of trees, which flows from the wounds of trees. During summer, oak trees produce plenty of sap, which the beetles consume using their brush-like tongues.

How strong is a stag beetle's jaw?

The mandibles of a stag beetle are shaped like scissors and are used as weapons in battles. Those who have been pinched might know it can be quite painful. The force of a stag beetle’s jaw could be likened to about 8.2 tons in human terms, which explains why it can be painfully strong.

What is the difference between male and female stag beetles?

Male and female stag beetles differ greatly in the size and shape of their jaws. Males have large jaws needed for fighting, which, while useful in battle, are cumbersome for moving around. Females have smaller jaws, which are not used for fighting but are strong enough to assist in digging the soil and chewing through rotten wood to lay eggs.

Can stag beetles fly?

Stag beetles are capable of flying. They fly by spreading their stiff front wings and flapping their larger hind wings vigorously. When flying, they extend their legs and tilt their bodies forward.

How do stag beetles distinguish between males and females?

Unlike rhinoceros beetles that use scent, stag beetles do not emit strong odors. They wait at sap sites for females and use their antennae and small mandibles to touch and identify whether they have encountered a male or a female.

What do stag beetle larvae eat?

Stag beetle larvae feed on rotting wood. They burrow into decaying trees where they live and grow.

How many times do stag beetles molt?

After molting twice, stag beetle larvae prepare to pupate by building a pupal chamber, where they will transition into pupae after about three weeks.

How long do stag beetles stay underground?

After emerging from the pupa, stag beetles typically spend about a year in their pupal chambers before surfacing the following summer.

How can you find stag beetles?

Stag beetles can be found by breaking apart rotting wood in deciduous forests. Look for wood chips or feces packed pathways which may lead to adult or larval stag beetles. Searching around fallen trees, at the base of trees, or near trees with sap can also yield sightings.

Do stag beetles hibernate?

Certain species of stag beetles can hibernate as adults and survive the winter. The lifestyle of a stag beetle can vary depending on the species and the conditions experienced as larvae. Some mature in one year and survive the winter, while others spend two years as larvae before emerging and immediately face winter.

Do stag beetles vary in jaw shape by species?

The shape and size of the mandibles in stag beetles vary significantly by species. They can also vary within a species based on body size. While the shape of the mandibles can help identify the species, it is difficult to use this method with females as they have smaller jaws.

How do you differentiate male and female stag beetle larvae?

It's difficult to differentiate between male and female larvae by shape, but by observing the rear end of the larvae, differences become apparent. If a faint yellow color is visible on the third segment from the rear on the back, it is a female, showing the transparency of the ovaries.

Are stag beetles capable of playing dead?

Stag beetles can feign death as a defense mechanism. They pull in their legs and antennae and become immobile. This behavior, known as thanatosis, is a response to predators such as birds. By falling from branches and playing dead, they can escape predators quickly.

What is the difference between stag beetles and rhinoceros beetles?

While both are popular summer insects, stag beetles belong to the Lucanidae family, whereas rhinoceros beetles belong to the Scarabaeidae family. Their body thickness and head shapes are also distinctly different.

Who are the natural predators of stag beetles?

In the wild, stag beetles are often preyed upon by birds such as crows. In captivity, the biggest cause of death is mites. The environment stag beetles thrive in is also ideal for mites, which can coexist but may cause death if they become too numerous. Using mite repellent sprays in captivity is advisable to protect them.

What should you not feed stag beetles?

In the wild, stag beetles feed on tree sap, but in captivity, they are often fed insect jelly. While fruits like bananas are nutritious, foods with too much water can cause diarrhea and illness. Avoid giving them watermelon too frequently in summer. Also, human jelly has too much sugar and additives, so it's important to use insect-specific jelly.

Why do dead stag beetles often appear upside down?

When stag beetles die, they often end up upside down. This happens because insects' bodies stiffen and their legs contract upon death, losing the ability to support their bodies which causes them to flip over.

What is the largest stag beetle in the world?

The largest stag beetles in the world include the Giraffe Stag Beetle and the Mandibularis Stag Beetle from Southeast Asia, which can reach nearly 12cm in length.

Which is the strongest stag beetle?

At a competition known as the 'K-1 Grand Prix' held at the Inawashiro Herb Garden in Fukushima, the Sumatra Giant Stag Beetle from the island of Sumatra in Indonesia was crowned as the strongest.

Are there any dangerous stag beetles?

While collecting stag beetles can be fun, be cautious of the red Paussus beetle, which resembles a stag beetle but can cause blisters. This beetle is not a stag beetle but a type of bombardier beetle and is very dangerous to touch.

Animal Article

Stag Beetle

The stag beetle is a popular insect alongside the rhinoceros beetle during the summer. The characteristic feature of the stag beetle is, of course, its two large and strong mandibles. While there are only four species of rhinoceros beetles in Japan, there are as many as 39 species of stag beetles. Around the world, about 1,500 species are known, and many people collect them due to their varying sizes. Let's take a closer look at the ecology of the stag beetle.