THE LIFE CYCLE OF A STAG BEETLE

TAKES AT LEAST 4 YEARS IN THE CONTINENT

It has now been known for some time that their life cycle in the Continent can take as little as 4 years *; that is one year longer than the minimum 3 years in the UK.

To view this diagram 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; note that its sections have been worked out for a 4 year life cycle.
It has attracted some attention as an educational resource, therefore we have a couple of free versions:
1. Life cycle poster - [PDF]. This is an A4 poster which works quite well when printed in light green paper.
2. The secret stages of the stag beetle by Adam Freeman of Arundel WWT - [PDF]. Credits must be given to Adam Freeman.
Higher resolution files are available on request but they incur a charge.

* The minimum life cycle duration of “4 years” is based on the following research carried out in The Netherlands and Germany.
1. Dutch nesting posts
2. Smit, J.T. & Hendriks, P. (2005) Broedstoven voor vliegende herten - Breeding sites for stag beetles. [PDF]
3. Rink, M. & Sinsch, U. (2008) Bruthabitat und Larvalentwicklung des Hirschkäfers (Lucanus cervus). Entomologische Zeitschrift, 118 (5): 229-236.

Last modified: Wed Feb 10 2016