Best time to see: Jun to mid Aug
Key facts
Stag beetles are large black beetles, quite harmless despite their ferocious appearance
They frequent dense areas within reach of rotting timber, including large gardens and woodland margins
Most likely to be seen around at dusk in summer, flying around clumsily in search of mates
Recognition
Male has huge jaws shaped like antlers; both sexes black with a violet colouring to wing-cases; length of male up to 7 cm
Male's jaws are used in courtship to intimidate and prise over rivals and do not have enough strength to bite
Lifecycle
Female searches out rotting stumps or logs to lay her eggs, preferring oak but also using fruit trees
The fat white larvae spend up to three years feeding on wood before forming a pupa
The pupa spends the winter in a small chamber in the wood, emerging the following spring
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© Tony Gunton