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STAG BEETLES

LUCANIDAE

T

he stag beetle family Lucanidae is a fairly

small group of large-bodied beetles, with

about 1,500 species in 115 genera spread

throughout the world, but most abundant and

species-rich in the Asian tropics. Lucanidae get

their common name “stag beetles” from the greatly

enlarged mandibles of the males of some species,

which resemble the antlers of a stag and serve a

LUCANIDAE—Stag Beetles

family

Lucanidae

known species

1,500

distribution

All continents except Antarctica

habitat

Forests and urban parklands

size

5–120 mm

diet

Larvae of almost all species feed on decaying

wood, often below ground. Adults, if they eat

at all, feed on sap and other sweet liquids

notes

Even though there are relatively few species,

stag beetles are well known for their large

size and the impressive mandibles of the

males. The longest species, the Greater

Giraffe Stag Beetle Prosopocoilus giraffa,

is widespread throughout Asia

similar purpose, fighting between males for mates.

These structures can vary greatly in size, depending

on genetics but also on the amount of nutrition

available to the beetle as a larva. The largest

individuals, called “major males,” are usually

successful in competition with other males, and

can pass their genes for large jaws on to the next

generation. But the mandibles are also unwieldy