Rainbow Stag Beetle

Description:

Rainbow Stag Beetle is another Australian icon besides the well-known Koala and Kangaroo. They do not occur here in Brisbane and are endemic to the rain forests in North Queensland. I bought this big rainbow stag beetle from a breeder in NQ. Unlike common rainbow stag beetles, this one doesn’t have the red colour on its back, which is regarded as a relatively rare form. A perfect insect for pet, it is beautiful, lives up to two years in captivity and enjoys eating bananas and apples. It has wings and can fly but it is such a lethargic flyer that I never need to worry about its escape when I took it outside in the bush for photos. With its whole body covered with shiny metallic armour, it looks more like an insect-shaped mini robot rather than a living creature! Years ago, a pair of rainbow stag beetles cost a few thousand dollars. Then some Japanese beetle breeders came to Australia and smuggled eggs to Japan and started a colony there. Because they are very easy to breed, they flourished in Japan. Before long, Japanese breeders overtook Aussies to become the major rainbow stag beetle suppliers and the prices dropped dramatically. Today, most of the rainbow stag beetles in the pet shops in Asia are from Japan and it only costs about 70 dollars for a nice big one.