Stag Beetles

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Stag beetles are the largest beetles living and breeding in the UK.  They can be up to 60mm in length. They're probably our most easily recognised beetle and it's on warm evenings in May that they crawl free from their underground pupal cases and take to the air.

The sight of such a large beetle in flight is quite impressive, but to say their flying style is erratic would be an understatement.  Unstable and dangerous might be a better description.  Their sole objective at this stage of their lives is to find a partner and mate: they don't even feed.

Stag beetles are named after those distinctive pincers on the heads of the males which are shaped a bit like deer antlers.  The pincers are used in territorial fights with rival males.  The females also have a pair of pincers, but they are much shorter.


More info at: UK Safari Stag Beetles Fact File