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Lucanus cervus

Stag beetle

Description

The stag beetle is the largest beetle (60–75 mm long) in Europe. Adults appear from late May to the early August being most active in the evenings. Adult beetles feed on tree nectar produced by oaks in the places of wounds. Females lay eggs in a piece of decaying wood. 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. It is similar to a cockchafer grub, but it is substantially larger. The larva develops for 3 or more years. It lives in older and warmer oak forests. Not rare. It can not be considered as a pest in Europe. The stag beetle is one of the most charismatic saproxylic beetles in Europe. However, its occurrence for example in Saudi Arabia, where it is the most important pest of Phoenix dactylifera, causing considerable damage and tree die-back.

Symptom

Large stag beetle. The largest beetle (60–75 mm long) in Europe.

Tree Species: Elm, Beech, Oak

Part of a plant- attacked: Tree trunk

Pest significance: Not harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Last observations

There are a total of 19 observations of the species in the system

Lucanus cervus Stag beetle
Marián Slamka
Number of votes: 0
Published: 16.7.2025

Lucanus cervus Stag beetle
milan
Number of votes: 0
Published: 16.7.2025

Lucanus cervus Stag beetle
Anonymous contributor
Number of votes: 0
Published: 18.6.2025

Lucanus cervus Stag beetle
Marián Slamka
Number of votes: 0
Published: 5.9.2024

Lucanus cervus Stag beetle
majo
Number of votes: 0
Published: 5.9.2024