Darwin’s beetle belonging to the stag beetle family is indigenous to Chile and Argentina. It derives its name after Charles Darwin, credited of having collecting this species during HMS Beagle’s second voyage of which he was a part. The beetle is also called by a host of other names like the Chilean Stag beetle after its place of origin. However, one could rarely spot them since they have eventually become vulnerable species. In fact, these beetles closely remain on the verge of extinction, global climate change being one of the main reasons.
Size: Males: 60 – 90 mm (2.4 – 3.inches); Females: 25 – 37 mm (0.98 – 1.46 inches)
Color: From the paintings found in Chile, it has been deduced that they have a metallic green body with an iridescent red shine. The wing covers appear chestnut brown with shiny green patches.
Other Characteristic Features: They exhibit sexual dimorphism, the males being larger having a stronger mandible than females. The males’ upper mandibles appear longer than their bodies, with finely serrated patterns. Other physical features seen in both sexes include small eyes, hairy antennae, and broad thorax. The front and back portions of their body also have dense coverings of short and pale-colored hair.
Because of these species’ rare availability, not much detail remains available about the larva’s identification. However, they mainly feed on the dead wood.
The pupal phase takes place within the dead wood, where the larva thrives.
The eggs appear small and primarily round, laid near the rotting wood.
| Other Names | Chilean stag beetle, Grant’s stag beetle |
| Adult lifespan | 1 – 2 years (like other members of its family, though exact numbers not recorded) |
| Duration of larval stage | Not recorded (though they spend a major part of their lives as a larva) |
| Distribution | Chile, Argentina |
| Habitat | Mostly in the Nothofagus (southern beeches) forests |
| Common Predators | Bird, rat, fox, bats |
| Seasons active from | Not recorded |
| Host Plants | Southern beeches |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Larvae: Dead or decayed wood Adults: Juices of trees |
Since they mainly feed on the dead wood, these beetles do not cause too much damage.
Image Source: faculty.ucr.edu, t3.ftcdn.net, t4.ftcdn.net, 64.media.tumblr.com
Darwin’s beetle belonging to the stag beetle family is indigenous to Chile and Argentina. It derives its name after Charles Darwin, credited of having collecting this species during HMS Beagle’s second voyage of which he was a part. The beetle is also called by a host of other names like the Chilean Stag beetle after its place of origin. However, one could rarely spot them since they have eventually become vulnerable species. In fact, these beetles closely remain on the verge of extinction, global climate change being one of the main reasons.
Size: Males: 60 – 90 mm (2.4 – 3.inches); Females: 25 – 37 mm (0.98 – 1.46 inches)
Color: From the paintings found in Chile, it has been deduced that they have a metallic green body with an iridescent red shine. The wing covers appear chestnut brown with shiny green patches.
Other Characteristic Features: They exhibit sexual dimorphism, the males being larger having a stronger mandible than females. The males’ upper mandibles appear longer than their bodies, with finely serrated patterns. Other physical features seen in both sexes include small eyes, hairy antennae, and broad thorax. The front and back portions of their body also have dense coverings of short and pale-colored hair.
Because of these species’ rare availability, not much detail remains available about the larva’s identification. However, they mainly feed on the dead wood.
The pupal phase takes place within the dead wood, where the larva thrives.
The eggs appear small and primarily round, laid near the rotting wood.
| Other Names | Chilean stag beetle, Grant’s stag beetle |
| Adult lifespan | 1 – 2 years (like other members of its family, though exact numbers not recorded) |
| Duration of larval stage | Not recorded (though they spend a major part of their lives as a larva) |
| Distribution | Chile, Argentina |
| Habitat | Mostly in the Nothofagus (southern beeches) forests |
| Common Predators | Bird, rat, fox, bats |
| Seasons active from | Not recorded |
| Host Plants | Southern beeches |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Larvae: Dead or decayed wood Adults: Juices of trees |
Since they mainly feed on the dead wood, these beetles do not cause too much damage.
Image Source: faculty.ucr.edu, t3.ftcdn.net, t4.ftcdn.net, 64.media.tumblr.com
