Lucanus capreolus

Lucanus capreolus (commonly known as reddish-brown stag beetle[1]) is a beetle of the family Lucanidae. The specific name capreolus is derived from Latin, meaning "roe deer" (capreolus literally means "little goat"). The name refers to the resemblance of the antennae to deer antlers.[2]

Lucanus capreolus
Lucanus capreolus, adult males and females
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Lucanidae
Genus:
Lucanus
Species:
L. capreolus
Binomial name
Lucanus capreolus

Description

A relatively large lucanid beetle of the genus Lucanus, the male has long, curved upper jaws, resembling a sickle. The larvae are found in the trunks of old trees, feeding on the inner wood. It is dark reddish brown in color with smooth, shiny elytra; the femora are orange-brown. Males have much larger jaws than females. Jaws of males are not as large as those of Lucanus elaphus. The smaller L. placidus has two or more teeth on its jaws and has dark femora. It is 22–35 mm long.

The species was originally described by Linnaeus as Scarabaeus capreolus in 1763. (orig. comb.). Other known synonyms are:[3]

  • L. dama Fabricius 1775: 2.
  • L. trigonus Thunberg, 1806: 199.
  • L. muticus Thunberg, 1806: 205.

As with most of the species of the Lucanidae, sexual dimorphism is pronounced, and the male of Lucanus capreolus is larger than the female and armed with the antennae in the form of antlers.

Habitat

It lives in deciduous forests and adjacent areas[4] in the Eastern United States and some parts of Canada. It can be found around decaying logs and stumps, where it breeds. Males use mandibles to fight at breeding sites. Eggs are deposited in rotting wood. Larvae live in decaying wood of deciduous trees. Larvae reportedly take two years to develop, and pupate in nearby soil. They are attracted to lights at night. They have been found in captivity to make burrows and nest in soil and mulch.

  • Variation of Lucanus capreolus
  • Underside of an adult female.

See also

References
  1. Classification of Lucanus capreolus
  2. Etymology and diffusion of Lucanus capreolus
  3. Synonyms of Lucanus capreolus
  4. Habitat of Lucanus capreolus
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