Lesser Stag Beetle

Description:

One of two stag beetles found in the UK, this one is smaller (rarely bigger than 3.5cm) and has a matte black abdomen instead of a shiny chestnut one. The males don't posses the large mandibles of the larger stag beetle, so both sexes look similar. This one is a female though, identified by the two little knobbly bits on her head. The head is also much wider in males. Generally found between May and September.

Habitat:

In general, lives around fields and woodland, basically needs places with rotting wood as this is what the larvae feed on. I found this one on the footpath I use to walk home from work, which is very near to a meadow.

Notes:

I was very excited when I saw this, as I thought it was a female stag beetle (rather than a lesser one), which are rare and protected species in the UK. She is still quite a lovely specimen though! I picked her up off the path and set her on the grass after I took some pictures to make sure no one stepped on her. Would also like to add that I *have* seen a male stag beetle (not lesser) where I live, but have yet been unable to take a photo!