Lucanus cervus

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Lucanus cervus
Lucanus cervus.jpg
Male
2018 06 06 Lucanus cervus w.jpg
Female
Status iucn3.1 LC.svg
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1] (Mediterranean)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Lucanidae
Genus: Lucanus
Species:
L. cervus
Binomial name
Lucanus cervus
Lucanus cervus areal.jpg
Synonyms [2]
  • Lucanus scapulodontaWeinreich, 1963
  • Scarabaeus cervusLinnaeus, 1758
  • Scarabaeus tridentatusLinnaeus, 1758 (partim)

Lucanus cervus, known as the European stag beetle, or the greater stag beetle, is one of the best-known species of stag beetle (family Lucanidae) in Western Europe, and is the eponymous example of the genus. L. cervus is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List. [1]

Contents

Taxonomy

Lucanus cervus is situated in the genus Lucanus within the family Lucanidae. In the genus there are two subgenera: LucanusScopoli, 1763 and PseudolucanusHope and Westwood, 1845. [3] The species L. cervus contains four subspecies. The nominate subspecies L. cervus cervus(Linnaeus, 1758) was established via the original description of the species in 1758. The three latterly added subspecies are L. cervus judaicusPlanet, 1900, L. cervus laticornisDeyrolle, 1864, and L. cervus turcicusSturm, 1843. [2]

Description

Sexual dimorphism - male and female Lucanus cervus cervus P.JPG
Sexual dimorphism – male and female

The European stag beetle is the largest beetle in Europe. [4] Their colour is usually black with reddish elytra (and red mandibles in males). Sexually dimorphic, the males have enlarged mandibles and are larger than the females. Although the male's mandibles seem threatening, they are too weak to be harmful. Nevertheless, females can inflict a painful bite. The resemblance of the male's mandibles to the antlers of a stag, and their use in combat between males, much like with deer, gives the species its scientific and common names.

Adult size varies between different areas of its distribution, for example beetles from Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands are larger than those from Belgium or the UK. [5] Males grow up to 7.5 cm (2.9 inches) in length, and females grow between 3 and 5 cm (1.1 and 1.9 inches). [6]

In Britain, female Lucanus cervus are often confused with both sexes of the lesser stag beetle (Dorcus parallelipipedus). [7] [8] [9] They can be distinguished as lesser stag beetles are smaller, with a completely black exoskeleton, and a larger, squarer head. Another difference is that Lucanus cervus larvae feed on wood below ground, and Dorcus parallelipipedus larvae eat wood above ground. [10]

Distribution and habitat

Lucanus cervus is widespread across Europe, [5] though it is absent from Ireland. [1] In Germany it is widespread, mainly in the south. In Hungary this species is widespread in the hilly and mountainous areas. In Romania it is widespread, especially in the hilly areas with sun exposed slopes. It also occurs in the European part of Turkey. [1] In Italy it is mainly distributed in northern and central regions. [11] In Spain and Portugal it is present only in the northern half of each country. [12] [13] In Britain it is largely confined to the south-east of England, where it is widespread. [14] This species is now extinct in Latvia; [15] it also disappeared from Denmark around 1970, but was reintroduced in 2013. [16] It is also found in Caucasus, Asia Minor, Syria and west Kazakhstan. [1] Its range is currently only increasing in Croatia and Slovakia. [5]

Lucanus cervus has been associated with a range of trees including those in the genera oak (Quercus), lime ( Tilia ), beech (Fagus), willow (Salix) and certain species in other genera including black poplar ( Populus nigra ), ash ( Fraxinus excelsior ), horse-chestnut ( Aesculus hippocastanum ), wild cherry ( Prunus avium ), and common walnut ( Juglans regia ). [17] Larval development sites were found in proximity of dead wood of the allochthonous Quercus rubra . [18]

Life cycle

Life cycle

Adults appear during late May to the beginning of August, being most active in the evenings. Females lay about 30 eggs in a piece of decaying wood deep in the soil. Stag beetle larvae, which are blind and shaped like a letter "C", feed on rotting wood in a variety of places, tree stumps, old trees and shrubs, rotting fence posts, compost heaps, and leaf mould. The larvae have a cream-coloured, soft, transparent body with six orange legs, and an orange head which is very distinct from the very sharp brown pincers. They have combs in their legs which they use for communication (stridulation) with other larvae. The larvae go through several instars (stages), [19] taking several years to become pupae. Males use their large mandibles to fight with each other in competition for females, intending to throw their opponent off the log or branch they are on. [20]

Mature larva Female Lucanus cervus larva.jpg
Mature larva

The work of entomologist Charlie Morgan during the late 1970s discovered that the pupae of the stag beetle live in the soil for about 3 months, then emerge in summer to awkwardly fly off to mate.[ citation needed ] Adults suck up the liquids of nectar, fallen fruit, and tree sap. Their slow, lumbering flight, usually at dusk, makes a distinctive low-pitched buzzing sound. The males fly more readily than the females.

Lifespan

Stag beetles spend most of their life as larvae and can take from 3 to 7 years for them to pupate, [21] but the lifespan of the adults is only a few weeks. [22]

Subspecies

The species Lucanus cervus contains four subspecies, with Lucanus cervus cervus being the nominate subspecies. The three latterly added subspecies are L. cervus judaicus, L. cervus laticornis, L. cervus turcicus, and L. cervus akbesianus.

Behaviour and ecology

The natural reaction of the beetle to an approaching large object is to remain motionless, making them a good photographic subject.[ citation needed ]

Daily activity, use of space and detectability

In a primary ancient forest in northern Italy, stag beetle males were less elusive than females. Males were more frequently radio-tracked in flight, females mostly underground and in the proximity of deadwood. Males were mostly observed flying at sunset, and resting or walking on standing trees during the day. The combination of air temperature and humidity determined the optimal weather conditions for male flights. Flying at sunset, mostly performed by males, significantly increased the detectability of the species. [23] Stag beetles are shown to be more active during the first part of their adult lives. Males were more prone to disperse than females but the home range size did not differ between the sexes. Dividing the flight season in three intervals, the most active individuals were recorded during the first and the second ones (first and second half of June). [24]

Predators

Natural predators of L. cervus in Britain include cats, foxes, badgers, carrion crows, magpies, woodpeckers, kestrels, and false black widows; these tend to strike at the most vulnerable stage in the beetle's life cycle, when adults are seeking to mate and lay eggs. [15] In the case of magpies, they have been observed in the field as waiting for emergence on a single site, subsequently consuming the beetle's abdomen. [25]

In Italy, the main predator is the hooded crow (Corvus cornix). [26]

Parasites

Mites in the order Monogynaspida (Suborder Uropodina) are phoretic (attached for the purpose of transportation) and have been observed attached to L. cervus as deutonymphs on the membrane of the joint between head and pronotum. [27]

Relationship with humans

Log pyramid for stag beetles StagBeetleStumperyAldershot.jpg
Log pyramid for stag beetles

Protection

Lucanus cervus is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List. [1] Although this species is widely distributed in Europe, it is in significant decline in the north and central part of its range and future trends of European forests will pose serious threats to this species, thus making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable. [1]

Lucanus cervus is registered in the second appendix of the Habitats Directive of the European Union from 1992, which requires that member states set aside special areas of conservation. The species is also registered in the third appendix of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Berne convention) of 1982 and Schedule 5 of the UK's Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. [19]

Log pyramids

Log pyramids, also called stumperies, are vertical log piles where the logs are buried upright, providing plenty of underground rotten broadleaf wood for stag beetle larvae to feed on, as their natural food sources are in decline. [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stag beetle</span> Family of insects

Stag beetles are a family of about 1,200 species of beetles in the family Lucanidae, currently classified in four subfamilies. Some species grow to over 12 centimetres, but most to about 5 cm (2 in).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mycangium</span> Body structures adapted for the transport of symbiotic fungi

The term mycangium is used in biology for special structures on the body of an animal that are adapted for the transport of symbiotic fungi. This is seen in many xylophagous insects, which apparently derive much of their nutrition from the digestion of various fungi that are growing amidst the wood fibers. In some cases, as in ambrosia beetles, the fungi are the sole food, and the excavations in the wood are simply to make a suitable microenvironment for the fungus to grow. In other cases, wood tissue is the main food, and fungi weaken the defense response from the host plant.

<i>Serrognathus titanus</i> Giant stag beetle of the family Lucanidae

Serrognathus titanus is a species of beetle in the family Lucanidae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1835. Huang and Chen (2013) separated Serognathus from the genus Dorcus by representing morphological characters and DNA analysis.

<i>Dorcus parallelipipedus</i> Species of beetle

Dorcus parallelipipedus, the lesser stag beetle, is a species of stag beetle found in Europe.

<i>Lucanus capreolus</i> Species of beetle

Lucanus capreolus, the reddish-brown stag beetle or pinching beetle, is a beetle of the family Lucanidae. The specific name capreolus is derived from Latin, meaning "roe deer". The name refers to the resemblance of the mandibles to deer antlers.

<i>Lucanus elaphus</i> Species of beetle

Lucanus elaphus, the giant stag beetle or elephant stag beetle, is a beetle of the family Lucanidae native to eastern North America. They are sometimes kept as pets.

<i>Lucanus formosanus</i> Species of beetle

Lucanus formosanus is a stag beetle which is endemic to Taiwan, and grows to a length of 45–80 millimetres (1.8–3.1 in). Like other species in the Lucanid family, L. formosanus exhibits distinct sexual dimorphism and subsequent external morphological allometry in males. Males of the species develop mandibles of various forms depending on geographic location; i.e. northern, central, and southern morphs.

<i>Lucanus tetraodon</i> Species of beetle

Lucanus tetraodon is a stag beetle of the family Lucanidae.

<i>Odontolabis cuvera</i> Species of beetle

Odontolabis cuvera, the golden stag beetle, is a beetle of the family Lucanidae, stag beetles.

The Lucanidae are a family of beetles that include the stag beetles. The family can be further subdivided in a taxonomy. The classification presented here follows Smith (2006), with the exception of the tribal classification within the Lucaninae.

<i>Hexarthrius parryi</i> Species of beetle

Hexarthrius parryi, the fighting giant stag beetle, is a species of large stag beetles. It belongs to the genus Hexarthrius of the tribe Lucanini. It is classified under the subfamily Lucaninae of the stag beetle family Lucanidae.

<i>Lucanus laminifer</i> Species of beetle

Lucanus laminifer is a species of beetles of the family Lucanidae.

<i>Paralissotes reticulatus</i> Species of beetle

Paralissotes reticulatus, also called the New Zealand reticulate stag beetle, is a native species of stag beetle from New Zealand. Although they do have wings they are flightless.

<i>Dorcus parallelus</i> Species of beetle

Dorcus parallelus, more commonly known as the antelope stag beetle, is a species from the Lucanidae family. Extensive research has not been done on this species. D. parallelus has been seen to be endemic to North America. Features of this species include its impressive size and distinctive antler-like mandibles useful during mating. These beetles are often compared to Dorcus parallelipipedus, the sister species mainly concentrated in Europe.

<i>Geodorcus helmsi</i> Species of beetle

Geodorcus helmsi, known as New Zealand giant stag beetle or Helms's stag beetle, is a large, slow-moving, flightless stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Dorcus rectus</i> Species of beetle

Dorcus rectus, the little stag beetle, is a species of beetles in the family Lucanidae. It can be found in China(Liaoning), Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Russia. These beetles have a distinctive red shell that separates them from Dorcus curvidens. Males of this species have been observed to have mandible trimorphism, a characteristic that has only been described in two species of Lucanidae—with the other one being Odontolabis cuvera—"and a small number of other invertebrates" as of 2017. The mandibles are used by males as weapons.

<i>Geodorcus alsobius</i> Species of beetle

Geodorcus alsobius, or Moehau stag beetle, is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It is found only on Mt Moehau, the highest mountain in the Moehau Range on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand.

<i>Geodorcus sororum</i> Species of beetle

Geodorcus sororum is a large flightless species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae. It was discovered in 1973 by Mr. A. Wright on an expedition to Middle Sister Island/Te Awanui, one of The Sisters Islands/Rangitatahi which are part of the Chatham Islands in New Zealand. This holotype specimen is held in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. It was first described by Beverley Holloway in 2007. The name sororum is translated from Latin to mean "belonging to the sisters".

Lucanus datunensis is a species of stag beetle endemic to Tatun Mountain of Taiwan's Yangmingshan.It is first discovered in 1984. It is the smallest stag beetle in Taiwan and is an endangered species threatened by recent human activity.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Lucanus cervus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017. 2017. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  2. 1 2 "Stag Beetle, Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758)". BioLib.cz. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
  3. ↑ "Genus. Lucanus Scopoli, 1763". BioLib.cz. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
  4. ↑ "Stag beetles: facts about the UK's largest beetle and where to see it". www.nhm.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  5. 1 2 3 Harvey, D.J.; Gange, A.C.; James, C. J.; Rink, M (2011). "Bionomics and distribution of the stag beetle, Lucanus cervus (L.) across Europe". Insect Conservation and Diversity . 4: 23–38. doi:10.1111/j.1752-4598.2010.00107.x.
  6. ↑ Trust, Woodland. "Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus) - British Beetles". Woodland Trust. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  7. ↑ Zoomology (2017-08-14). "On the Road: Stag Beetles (Lucanus cervus)". ZOOMOLOGY BLOG. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  8. ↑ "Similar species – European Stag Beetle Monitoring Network" . Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  9. ↑ "Stag beetles: facts about the UK's largest beetle and where to see it". www.nhm.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  10. ↑ "Lesser stag beetles facts". People's Trust for Endangered Species. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  11. ↑ Bartolozzi L.; Maggini L. (2006). "Insecta Coleoptera Lucanidae". In S. Ruffo; F. Stoch (eds.). Checklist and distribution of the Italian fauna. Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Verona. pp. 191–192.
  12. ↑ López-Colón, J. I. (2000). "Familia Lucanidae". In Martín-Piera, F.; López-Colón, J. I. (eds.). Fauna Iberica Vol. 14: Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea I. CSIC.
  13. ↑ Grosso-Silva, J.M. (1999). "Contribuição para o conhecimento dos lucanídeos (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) de Portugal". Boletín de la Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa (in Portuguese). 25: 11–15.
  14. ↑ "Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758) [Stag Beetle]". National Biodiversity Network. Retrieved 2017-02-24.
  15. 1 2 "About stag beetles". People's Trust for Endangered Species. 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Eghjort". Ministry of Environment (Denmark). Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  17. ↑ "Coleoptera >> Lucanidae >> Lucanus cervus (L.)". Database of Insects and their Food Plants (Biological Records Centre). Retrieved 2017-02-24.
  18. ↑ Tini, M.; Bardiani, M.; Campanaro, A.; Mason, F.; Audisio, P.; Carpaneto G.M. (2017). "Detection of stag beetle oviposition sites by combining telemetry and emergence traps". Nature Conservation. 19: 81–96. doi: 10.3897/natureconservation.19.12678 .
  19. 1 2 "Lucanus cervus". Encyclopedia of life . Retrieved 2017-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Stag beetles: facts about the UK's largest beetle and where to see it". www.nhm.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  21. ↑ "Stag beetle facts". People's Trust for Endangered Species. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  22. ↑ "Stag beetles: facts about the UK's largest beetle and where to see it". www.nhm.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  23. ↑ Tini, M.; Bardiani, M.; Campanaro, A.; Chiari, S.; Mason, F.; Maurizi, E.; Toni, I.; Audisio, P.; Carpaneto, G.M. (2017). "A stag beetle's life: sex-related differences in daily activity and behaviour of Lucanus cervus (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)". Journal of Insect Conservation. 21 (5–6): 897–906. doi:10.1007/s10841-017-0029-5.
  24. ↑ Tini, M.; Bardiani, M.; Chiari, S.; Campanaro, A.; Maurizi, E.; Toni, I.; Mason, F.; Audisio, P.; Carpaneto, G.M. (2018). "Use of space and dispersal ability of a flagship saproxylic insect: a telemetric study of the stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) in a relict lowland forest". Insect Conservation and Diversity. 11: 116–129. doi:10.1111/icad.12260. hdl: 11573/1070456 .
  25. ↑ Fremlin, m; Davidson, J.; Davidson, G. (2012). "Stag Beetle Predation by Magpies in a Colchester Garden" (PDF). Nature in North-East Essex: 81–85.
  26. ↑ Campanaro, A.; Toni, I.; Hardersen, S.; Grasso, D. A. (2011). "Monitoring of Lucanus cervus by means of Remains of Predation (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)". Entomologia Generalis. 33 (1): 79–89. doi:10.1127/entom.gen/33/2011/79.
  27. ↑ Hawes, C. (2010). "Hitchhiking a lift: Stag Beetles as Carriers of Mites" (PDF). White Admiral. 77: 16–17.
  28. ↑ "How to build a log pile". Stag Beetles. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
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