Stag beetle

Lucanus cervus
Stag beetles (Lucanidae)

♂

CC-BY-SA 3.0 rights : RikenMon

Large brown beetle, the ♂ has large 'antler' like jaws and clearly forked antennae. The ♀ has smaller "antlers'. Back shield and jaws are red-brown, head and sturdy legs are black. 

Often spotted on forest trails, when flying they make some noise. The 'antlers' of the ♂ are jaws used to impress opponents when fighting, they are useless for biting. The ♀ has smaller but more powerful jaws used to dig in bark and wood to make a nest. 

Prefers oak, active in the evening looking for tree sap, their only food. Larvae live 3-5 years in rotten wood and can be as long as 100 mm.

⇔ l. 30-75 mm with the 'antlers'

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