Elephant Stag Beetle !

[trehopr1]

Here, in eastern North American relict woodlands one of the "grandest" prizes
a collector of beetles may encounter is the Elephant Stag beetle (Lucanus elephus).

You could say the species IS the "porsche" of stag beetles here; there is no substitute !

The adults begin emerging from their long slumber about the 2nd or 3rd week of June and
continue doing so until the end of July. Of coarse, males are the notable ones (for their appearance)
whilst females are smaller and un-adorned like their mates.

Now, depending on such factors as competition for food, food availability, quality of food, and
stress (just to mention a few); you will likely encounter males of varying sizes with "racks"/mandibles
of equally varying dimensions.

The species is prevalent pretty much throughout the whole of Appalachia. I have done pretty well
in finding it in the far southern counties of Illinois (lots of relict forest/wildlife areas).

The males are most certainly "temperamental" beasties which hold their jaws (mandibles) wide agape
and "threatening" at any bother. Ha, just try holding one ! They are imposing... which is why most folks leave
them alone if they notice them.

In terms, of size robust males are right around 60+mm (maybe up to 63mm); AND very impressive in the dimensions
of their "racks". I have only found 6 really big males whilst the rest are lesser and yet still impressive
none the less !

Below, I show 3 sizes of males which may be encountered *(small/medium/large). With each "exponential" increase
in (general) size you encounter a beastie with not only better developed mandibles but, also mandibles of "thicker"
proportions.

*Also, pay particular attention to the terminal end of the mandibles (with each jump in size).
The "forked" ends are just that much more longer and pointed !


A nice male but, on the "small" side...


A quite nice medium/average male --- a worthy prize.


and then there is ole' bodacious himself...  60mm of "junk-yard dog" attitude....

Are these things not great or what !

Hope you enjoyed the article.

[Deleted]

These are indeed special to get at the lights.....and.......to rear. It takes a while to complete, but it’s fun.

[trehopr1]

BTW folks, children and adults of the south and/or regions
where this beetle is found commonly refer to these as
"pinching bugs".

A reputation and moniker well deserved and respected...

[Deleted]

I have a few in my collection as well. Large beetles are hard to pass up.

[kevinkk]

A lot of my memorable collecting moments have been catching beetles, my first june beetle, pine sawyers, prionae,or finding
a spot where dozens of Polyphylla decemlineata were buzzing around at dusk. The summer I spent in Indiana and finding a bush with
multitudes of green june bugs flying around.

I'm trying to raise elephus, my best shot at the present for one of those guys.

[777]

That is impressive, even the small stag beetle looks amazing! What is the best method for collecting these beetles? I'm guessing that light traps would do the trick.

[leptraps]

I have only encounter this beetle once in my Light Traps. It now resides in a collection of a Mississippi Coleopterists.

It tried to bite me.

[trehopr1]

As I mentioned in my above article these beetles
have a "junk-yard dog" attitude.

The best way to attract them (I think) is via the
use of Mercury vapor lights. These work well for moths
but, L. elaphus will show up if they are out.

I've never had any luck as yet trying to get them to
show up at blacklights...

[58chevy]

The first one I ever caught was crawling on the wall of a gas station, back when they had MV lights. It was totally unexpected, and remains one of my most memorable collecting experiences.

[bandrow]

Greetings,

A very nice species indeed! I've collected 7 or 8 in my lifetime, but only females, never a male. I got all of them at street lights in highway rest areas while on trips in the South.

However, my most memorable experience with this species did involve a male specimen. I was collecting with a friend at the tennis courts at a state park lodge in southern Ohio. We would turn on the MV lights over the courts and the bugs would pour in. It also always attracted some nocturnal tennis players when the lights came on, but before too long, the cloud of bugs would always force them back indoors. On this particular night, we switched on the lights, and then drove down to a local gas station to checks lights and grab a cold drink. Upon returning, I parked the car in the lot outside the fence, and my friend opened the passenger door and stepped out - and we both heard "CRUNCH". He had stepped out right onto a male Lucanus elaphus, cracking the pronotum right down the middle. He kept the specimen - it was a smallish male - and to this day, it is the only specimen of that species that I know of to have been collected in Ohio.

Cheers!
Bandrow

[leptraps]

I have experienced the "CRUNCH" more than once.

The biggest crunch I experienced was a huge Beetle in the southwest Arizona around a Collection Sheet with UV and MV Lights. I stuck a #7 pin in the beast, guts hanging out and all. I think I still have it(?) Guts and all.....