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Post by TenebrousNova on Jun 29, 2012 17:55:04 GMT
My neighbour asked me into the alleyway between our houses just now to identify what he described as a huge beetle. Look at this magnificent fellow. ;D  This is the second stag beetle I've ever found, and both were males. I'm quite amazed to be honest.  We've left him on the alleyway wall. I hope this means that there is a small stag beetle population nearby, possibly even in my neighbour's garden. |
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Post by IceWhyte on Jun 29, 2012 18:21:07 GMT
That is pretty cool. I haven't seen one of those before. I saw a dung beetle last week though.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Jun 29, 2012 18:38:14 GMT
Now, I've never seen a dung beetle before. You're quite lucky there.  Stag beetle males look vicious, but their jaws are blunt and more designed for grappling with rival males than anything else. Females judge them on their jaws and strength, I believe. The females have much smaller jaws, but they are capable of drawing blood.  |
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jun 29, 2012 18:52:07 GMT
Living on the city limits, we are only a 7 minute walk away from the open countryside near to Goodwood. The fields often have lots of violet ground beetles, as well as other large beetles. The cow pats attract dung beetles and closer to the river we sometimes see stag beetles; but we haven't found any this year yet, so finding one in your alleyway was a neat find.  |
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Post by TenebrousNova on Jun 30, 2012 10:49:25 GMT
He was still here this morning, so I bought him indoors for a little while for some observation. Might as well, seeing how uncommon they are these days. He'll be let go later. Here, he's in his alert mode. You can see his antennae jutting out to the side, and his jaws are wide open. When alert, he also raises his head for an impressive and threatening display.  Comparison with my hand, to give a better idea of his size.  I've identified this one as Lucanus cervus. |
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Post by odesssus on Jun 30, 2012 12:57:40 GMT
judging by his worn down pincers he must be left handed
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Post by TenebrousNova on Jun 30, 2012 13:40:40 GMT
judging by his worn down pincers he must be left handed Always a possibility. ;D Just submitted this sighting to the Great Stag Beetle Hunt. I'm quite interested in the conservation of this beetle now. |
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