×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Giant Stag Beetle (Lucanus elaphus)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Giant Stag Beetle


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/8
Image Credit: Chad Sakada from McAdenville, NC
Full-sized image of the Giant-Stag-Beetle Thumbnail image of the Giant-Stag-Beetle
2/8
Image Credit: Rudy P. from Durham, NC
Full-sized image #2 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle Thumbnail image #2 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle
3/8
Image Credit: Rudy P. from Durham, NC
Full-sized image #3 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle Thumbnail image #3 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle
4/8
Image Credit: Michele M. from Holly Spings, NC
Full-sized image #4 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle Thumbnail image #4 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle
5/8
Image Credit: Ursula N. from Carbon Hill, AL
Full-sized image #5 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle Thumbnail image #5 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle
6/8
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #6 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle Thumbnail image #6 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle
7/8
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #7 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle Thumbnail image #7 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle
8/8
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #8 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle Thumbnail image #8 of the Giant-Stag-Beetle

The hefty body and extended mandibles make the Giant Stag Beetle the largest Stag in North America.



Updated: 01/03/2022; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
It's not hard to see what makes the Giant Stag Beetle so fascinating. It is enormous, boasting lengths at 6 cm (over 2 inches). Large curved mandibles that look like formidable pincers grace the front of the male's head; females have much shorter, more ordinary mandibles. Males use these to fight with other males over females. A flattened area round at the base of the mandibles looks almost like a shield for the male's head. Pale wings are tucked under the elytra (coverings), but most times this beetle is found trekking on the ground. The body's overall color is somewhere between black and maroon. It is the largest species of its kind in the Stag family, and may bite if handled roughly.

Giant Stag Beetles drink leaking tree sap as well as the sticky, sweet honeydew secreted by aphids found on plant stems. They can be found on or around oak trees, rotting tree stumps and logs. Females lay fertilized eggs in decomposing logs and tree trunks. The large, white larvae develop over a year or more before molting into the adult form.

Because the offspring rely on soft, rotting wood, Giant Stag Beetles are often found in old, wild woodlands. Parks and managed forest land tends to have less decaying wood lying around, reducing that area's usefulness as a habitat. Adults are most active at night, where cover of dark can aid in camouflaging them from predators. Like moths, they seem to be attracted to lights and may wander closer to homes and buildings giving people a fair opportunity to see one in all its glory.©InsectIdentification.org


Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Insect biting icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Coleoptera
        Family: Lucanidae
View More
          Genus: Lucanus
View More
            Species: elaphus

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Lucanus elaphus
Other Name(s): American Stag Beetle
Category: Beetle
Size (Adult; Length): 28mm to 60mm (1.10" to 2.36")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: black; red
Descriptors: huge; large; heavy; bumps; pincer pinchers; antlers; long; maroon; jaws


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 28mm (1.1in) and 60mm (2.4in)
Lo: 28mm
Md: 44mm
Hi: 60mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Giant Stag Beetle may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Giant Stag Beetle. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)