Reddish-brown Stag Beetle

Description:

Hence the name, this is a reddish-brown stag beetle. They can grow up to 3.5 centimeters long, and the males have large mandibles, which they use to fight. The mandibles have one tooth on the inside of each jaw, separating it from similar species. The femora are orange.

Habitat:

Forest edge; on a sidewalk

Notes:

These beetles come to lights at night. The adults feed on tree sap, while the larvae eat decaying wood. They take two years to develop (in rotting logs). This is one of the more charismatic beetles we have in the US: those mandibles speak for themselves. Fortunately, the beetle usually tolerates photographs quite well.