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Helpline for Larvae and other queries

If you have a problem with larvae that have just been disturbed, first, bear in mind that the larvae don't relocate well, the reason being that generally they don't tolerate a change of diet. The fact is that in order to digest any goodness out of rotten wood the larvae have developed a very complex digestive system, their guts are a fermenting vat full of fussy micro-organisms, hence they don't take well to being moved.
Second, I hope that some of the following suggestions will help you solve your problem as soon as possible.

• Ideally you should put the larvae back and leave them alone. They are probably already doing an excellent job for you by eating away the wood.

• If that is not possible then try to replicate their habitat in a shady corner and leave it so that the larvae can complete their development undisturbed.

• However if none of the above applies, place the larvae in a bucket with soil and a bit of the stuff that they were feeding on, cover it and place it in a shaded area. Then seek help locally as soon as possible.

STATUS:
Stag beetles (Lucanus cervus) are listed under Annex II of the EC Habitats Directive and Appendix III of the Bern Convention. Protected in the UK under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended.
For their status in other countries visit: Current status of the stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) in Europe.

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