Lucanus cervus

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daveuk
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Wales

Lucanus cervus

Post by daveuk »

Two male British examples. This is the largest land Beetle in Britain. Now protected. These specimens date from 1936. Data is the same for both specimens.
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livingplanet3
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Re: Lucanus cervus

Post by livingplanet3 »

Nice vintage specimens!

Here in the US, we have its somewhat smaller relative, L. elaphus, which I've been able to breed with reasonable success on a couple of occasions in years past. I often found it difficult to get females to lay eggs, as they seem rather particular about the conditions for such. Around 10 years ago, I did somehow manage to produce several unusually large males of between 65-70 mm, though! I'm not sure if I will make any further efforts with this species, as the rearing process is quite long and tedious, with no guarantee of success, even once the larvae reach the pupal stage.

L. elaphus -

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boghaunter1
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Re: Lucanus cervus

Post by boghaunter1 »

Hi daveuk,

Indeed, very nice historic specimens still in great shape at 87 years old! Well done looking after/preserving them :o

Here is another excerpt from the "The Guinness Book of Animal Facts & Feats" (pg.171) regarding the biggest stag beetle specimens from the U.K.. "The largest recorded specimen is a male in the British Museum which measures 77.4mm (3.05") in length & probably weighed at least 8000mg (o.282 oz.) when alive. It was collected in Sheerness, Kent in 1871. Another male measuring 76mm (2.99") was captured at Priest Hill, Caversham, Berkshire in June 1969 & later presented to the Reading Museum."

Maybe there may be larger specimens collected since 1969? It would be interesting to find out more current record sizes... I know larger specimens have been found in mainland Europe & I believe some of the largest wild collected specimens (80mm+), I've seen online, were of a ssp. found in Turkey? (Poland?)

Another rather amusing little story from the Guinness book (same page as above). "In Oct.1939 London Zoo received a large male stag beetle which came with the following note: ' The defendant was found lying on the pavement in Regent Street, outside the Cafe Royal at 11:15 pm on the evening of the 4th inst. As he was unable to stand, was causing an obstruction, & inclined to resist, I took him in charge. He did not appear to have any visible means of support & would give no account of himself. A strong tendency to alcoholism was shown by the fact that he refused a meal of drops of ten percent cane sugar solution, but voraciously attacked the same solution when fortified with two drops or three drops of sherry. He probably had been overcome at a stag party.' " :lol:

John K.
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