Life Cycle of a Stag Beetle Replica Set

• Whereas the life cycles of many insects are measured in weeks, the stag beetle takes years to develop. Eggs are laid in rotting wood, where larvae grow for six years before becoming pupae. Development speeds at that point, and in a few weeks, the adult stag beetle emerges.

• Scientific Name: Lucanus cervus

• Characteristics: The most striking characteristic of the adult stag beetle is its massive mandibles. The insect received its name because they resemble the antlers of a stag.

• Size and Color: The realistic eggs are set in a rotting wood background, giving way to the soft, grub-like pupa. The adult figure measures 3 ½ inches long.

History

1,200 species of Stag beetles have been identified, out of a whopping 400,000 total beetle species, but their unique mandibles help them stand out from the rest. Compared to other insects, stag beetles have a lengthy life cycle, spending several years in the larva stage eating decaying wood. They transition into the pupa stage in the fall, and become adults just a few weeks later. However, they don’t leave their warm underground lair until the following spring. At that point, their lives are numbered in weeks, and their goal is to find a mate and restart the cycle.