Lesser Stag Beetle Dorcus parallelipipedus

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Species Information
Length 20-32 mm. A large black beetle with a broad head and large mandibles. The body is finely punctuated. The male has larger mandibles with distinctive bumps on them, and a broader head (almost as wide as the thorax) than the female. The female has 2 small characteristic bumps on its forehead, between its eyes. It is similar to the Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus) which is larger with deep red elytra.

The adult feeds on tree sap, and may live for several years. The larva feeds on rotting wood, especially Ash, Beech and Apple. It can take between 1 and 3 years before it matures into an adult, going through 3 instars.

It can be seen all year round, but it is mostly active April to September, during the day and during the night They are very good fliers, and are often attracted to light at night, and can also be found in moth traps. It is a woodland species, but may also occur in wooded parkland and gardens with trees. Common and widespread in the southern half of England and in Wales, much scarcer further north.

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Classification

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Photographs
Species attracted to moth trap light.

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All photographs copyright © Peter Hillman
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