Stag+beetle

=Stag Beetles - (Lucanus cervus)= Fig 1: Stag beetle on a leaf.


 * Taxonomy**
 * Kingdom: Animalia
 * Phylum: Arthropoda
 * Class: Insecta
 * Order: Coleoptera
 * Family: Lucanidae
 * Subfamily: Lucanidae
 * Genus: Lucanus
 * Species: //L. cervus//

(1)
 * Adult Size: ** 8 mm - 60 mm in length
 * Identifying Colors: ** dark, reddish brown to black

//Lucanus// //cervus// are large, sturdy Coleopterans commonly referred to as stag beetles. This species is the best known member of the Coleoptera family Lucanidae. The name "stag beetle" stems from the resemblance of the beetle's elongated mandibles to the horns of a deer and their use in combat between males (1).

**Description** Stag beetles (Family Lucanidae) are dark brown or black with clubbed antennae which resemble those of a scarab beetle. The elytra of //L. cervus// appear smooth, with only very fine punctures on their surface. Tropical forms of the insect like the giant stag beetle, //Lucanus elephas// Fabricius, are characterized by increased overall size (up to 12 cm in length) and elaborately branched mandibles in males (1)(2). Although they are commonly known as Pinching bugs, the label is a bit of a misnomer on account of the fact that the oversized jaws of the males are too weak to do any real damage to humans. This is due to the fact that the jaws play a role in sexual selection rather than defense or predation. The bites of females, however, are quite formidable.

The name //Lucanus// has its roots in Lucania, an ancient district of southern Italy which extends into the Mediterranean sea (1). It is safe to assume the beetle's taxonomical grandfather Scopoli based his name selection on the resemblance of the jaws of the insect to the topography of southern Italy. Fig 2: The geography of ancient Italy. Fig. 3: Elephant Stag Beetle, male.

Like all beetles, stag beetles exhibit complete metamorphosis with egg, pupal, and adult stages. Stag beetles tend to be saprophytic, laying their eggs on on under the bark of dead trees. Larvae take multiple years to develop, feeding on the juices inside of the tree their mother lays them in. Upon completing development, the larvae move to the soil, where they pupate in chambers in close proximity to their source of food. Upon hatching and maturation, sexual selection selects for males with the largest jaws, or the jaws best suited to besting their fellow males. Adults live for up to two years, depending on the species of beetle ([|3]).
 * Life History**

The beetles are slow-moving herbivores. They begin their lives in the larval stage feeding on damp, decaying wood of fallen trees. Once they hatch, the beetles change their diets to include leaves, sap, and aphid honeydew. Stag beetles and their young are preyed on by centipedes, lizards, and snakes as well as birds and mammals (3).
 * Predators and Prey**

Due to their saprophytic tendencies, the beetles serve as important decomposers in the ecosystems they inhabit. No healthy hardwood forest in the southern United States is devoid of stag beetle larvae. The beetles are not considered pests, but rather as helpful due to the role they play in the decomposition process (2)([|3]).
 * Ecology/Human Impact**

Created by Stuart, M.

1. "Family Lucanidae - Stag Beetles." BugGuide.Net. Iowa State University, 3 Apr. 2004. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. <@http://bugguide.net/node/view/3103>.
 * References**

2. "Stag Beetle." Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. Texas A&M Entomology, n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2013. <@https://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/bimg136.html>

3. Newton, Blake. "Stag Beetles of Kentucky." Stag Beetles of Kentucky. University of Kentucky Entomology, 9 June 2005. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. <@http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/beetles/stag/stag.htm>.

Fig 1: "Stag Beetle." Outdoors, Home & Garden Television. Scripps Networks, LLC, n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <@http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/stag-beetle/index.html>.
 * Images **

Fig 2: Classical Geographer. "Lucania." 12 November 2009. Own work. <@http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Lucania.svg>