THE LIFE CYCLE OF A STAG BEETLE

TAKES AT LEAST 3 YEARS

Nobody knows for sure how long it takes in the wild for a stag beetle (Lucanus cervus L.) to complete its life cycle. The adults live out in the open for a few weeks but prior to that their life underground is very mysterious.

Below is a diagram attempting to illustrate their life cycle with a possible duration of 4 years. To view it just move the mouse pointer over the numbers. This way you can see the corresponding text appear in the box on the right hand-side of the life cycle.

Stag beetles - All they need is love and wood

This life cycle was designed by Maria Fremlin, and illustrated by Carim Nahaboo.
As it has attracted some attention there are now some printable pdfs:

Life cycle poster - [PDF]. This A4 poster works quite well when printed in light green paper.

The secret stages of the stag beetle by Adam Freeman of Arundel WWT - [PDF]. Credits must be given to Adam Freeman.

Its current duration of at least 3 years was based on MF's own observations during a rearing trial from egg to imago in a terrarium in a well ventilated garage. This result fits with the duration of other rearing trials which also mimicked outdoor temperatures (Rink & Sinsch). However, sometimes larvae in captivity may last longer that 2 years before they enter pupation (Harvey & Gange; MF's observations).
In the wild, adult stag beetles were found within four years following the installation of some nesting posts (Smit & Hendriks).

References:
Harvey D.J. and Gange A.C. (2003) The Private Life of the Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus). The Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society, 62: 240-244.
Rink, M. & Sinsch, U. (2008) Bruthabitat und Larvalentwicklung des Hirschkäfers (Lucanus cervus). Entomologische Zeitschrift, 118(5): 229-236.
Smit, J.T. & Hendriks, P. (2005) Broedstoven voor vliegende herten - Breeding sites for stag beetles. [PDF]

Last modified: Mon Aug 22 10:11:39 BST 2011