The lesser stag beetle is a stag beetle found throughout Britain. These beetles are closely related to the North American antelope beetle. Both sexes of this beetle resemble the female stag beetle, but for the color, as they are entirely black sans the chestnut brown on their elytra, unlike the latter. They even show many visible physical differences that distinguish them from the male stag beetles, one being their small-sized jaws.
Size: 18 to 32 mm (0.7 to 1.3 in)
Color: They are uniformly blackish.
Other physical features: These beetles have a broad head and thick mandibles. They exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males having larger jaws and a distinctly knobbed antenna than their female counterparts.
The larvae are white and shaped like the letter C. They have an orange head.
Pupation takes place in harder parts of the wood.
The females lay their eggs in wood and tree stumps.
| Lifespan | Up to 2 years |
| Distribution | England |
| Habitat | Gardens having large trees, hedges and orchards |
| Host Plants | Ash, common beech, and apple |
| Seasons active | Summer |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Dead wood |
The lesser stag beetles are generally harmless, but they can pinch someone with their mandibles if disturbed. They cause no damage to plants or fresh wood since they only attack the dead ones.
Image Source: warehouse1.indicia.org.uk, en-academic.com, justthesam.com, brc.ac.uk, biolib.cz, alchetron.com
The lesser stag beetle is a stag beetle found throughout Britain. These beetles are closely related to the North American antelope beetle. Both sexes of this beetle resemble the female stag beetle, but for the color, as they are entirely black sans the chestnut brown on their elytra, unlike the latter. They even show many visible physical differences that distinguish them from the male stag beetles, one being their small-sized jaws.
Size: 18 to 32 mm (0.7 to 1.3 in)
Color: They are uniformly blackish.
Other physical features: These beetles have a broad head and thick mandibles. They exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males having larger jaws and a distinctly knobbed antenna than their female counterparts.
The larvae are white and shaped like the letter C. They have an orange head.
Pupation takes place in harder parts of the wood.
The females lay their eggs in wood and tree stumps.
| Lifespan | Up to 2 years |
| Distribution | England |
| Habitat | Gardens having large trees, hedges and orchards |
| Host Plants | Ash, common beech, and apple |
| Seasons active | Summer |
| Diet of larvae and adults | Dead wood |
The lesser stag beetles are generally harmless, but they can pinch someone with their mandibles if disturbed. They cause no damage to plants or fresh wood since they only attack the dead ones.
Image Source: warehouse1.indicia.org.uk, en-academic.com, justthesam.com, brc.ac.uk, biolib.cz, alchetron.com
