Rainbow Stag Beetle ( Male )

Description:

It is large sized with a metallic green and purple body sheen that makes it one of the most attractive beetle species in Australia. Named after the strong,antler-like, curved mandible jaws These are notably longer in the male than the female. Males can range from 3.5 to 6.0 centimeters on average, though specimens can be as large as 7 cm. Females are significantly smaller ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 cm.

Habitat:

It is restricted to wet areas in North Queensland rainforests, where it lives among rotting logs and tree stumps.

Notes:

Diet: Despite this armoury stag beetles are mainly vegetarians. Adults feed on nectar, young leaves, sap and fruit.