# Reddish-brown Stag Beetle (*Lucanus capreolus*) The Reddish-brown Stag Beetle is a fascinating insect known for its large, antler-like jaws. These beetles are often found in forests and gardens, where they like to munch on rotting wood. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Reddish-brown Stag Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lucanus_capreolus_sjh.jpg&width=800) Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Kugamazog~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lucanus_capreolus_sjh.jpg) ## Appearance The Reddish-brown Stag Beetle is a medium-sized beetle, featuring a deep reddish-brown, shiny body. Males possess prominent, slightly curved mandibles that resemble small antlers, while females have smaller, pincer-like jaws. Its smooth wing covers are a distinguishing feature. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Lucanidae - **Genus:** Lucanus ## Interesting facts - Finding a Reddish-brown Stag Beetle is a sign of a healthy forest with plenty of decaying wood. - Male stag beetles use their big, antler-like jaws to wrestle and flip rivals over during fights. - These beetles spend most of their life, up to three years, as hidden grubs underground! - They are sometimes called 'pinching bugs' by kids because of their distinctive mandibles! ## Special abilities - **Mighty Mandibles:** Reddish-brown Stag Beetle males can wrestle rivals with their strong, antler-like jaws to win mates, proving their strength. - **Wood-Munching Grubs:** Reddish-brown Stag Beetle larvae have powerful jaws that help them chew through dead wood, recycling nutrients into the forest. - **Night Flight Power:** Reddish-brown Stag Beetles can fly using their wings, often emerging at dusk to search for mates or food high in the trees. - **Sap Sip Attack:** Reddish-brown Stag Beetles can feed on tree sap by scraping bark, getting vital energy for their short adult lives. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 20-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Larvae munch on decaying wood, while adults sip tree sap and rotting fruit. - **Age differences:** Larvae are detritivores, eating only decaying wood; adults are sap-feeders and eat rotting fruit. - **Primary Foods:** decaying hardwood, tree sap, rotting fruit - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons may prey on adult beetles foraging on the ground. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Owls can hunt adult beetles active at night. - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Beetle larvae depend on decaying wood from oak trees for food and shelter. - **Depends on:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Larvae also thrive in dead wood from maple trees, aiding in decomposition. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Antlered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/antlered): Antlered describes animals possessing antlers, which are bony, branching growths found predominantly on male deer and related species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and watch your fingers; they can pinch but are not harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Reddish-brown Stag Beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Reddish-brown Stag Beetle? 20-40 mm ### How long does Reddish-brown Stag Beetle live? 30-90 days ### What does Reddish-brown Stag Beetle eat? Larvae munch on decaying wood, while adults sip tree sap and rotting fruit. ### Where is Reddish-brown Stag Beetle usually found? Forests ### How does Reddish-brown Stag Beetle hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Reddish-brown Stag Beetle have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Isaac Franklin Plantation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/isaac-franklin-plantation) — Tennessee, US · Historic Site - [Missouri Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/missouri-botanical-garden) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [Shaw Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shaw-nature-reserve) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [Squantum Point Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/squantum-point-park) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Verona Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/verona-park) — New Jersey, US · Park - [Buttonwoods Beach Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/buttonwoods-beach-historic-district) — US · Historic District [View all places to see Reddish-brown Stag Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/reddish-brown-stag-beetle) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Reddish-brown Stag Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/reddish-brown-stag-beetle)