A large 60mm+ male in perfect condition can go for $100 for a single dead specimen. Larvae are similar in shape to white grubs of Scarabeidae, but are often larger during the latter stages of development. Right now they’re kept at 70-72 degrees, are eating decently woody flake soil, soil is moist and humid but not wet and muddy at all. Rearing page with photography of live larvae and adult Elephant stag beetles, Lucanus elephus. Though probably this stag beetle was named after the Red Deer (Cervus elaphus). ... For those who are unfamiliar with the term “instar,” an instar number is the number of times a larva has molted, counting hatching as the first molt. Therefore, the first instar is a newly hatched larva. The fourth instar is one that has hatched and then molted three times since. I am curious as to whether or not there are any things I can do extra to speed up the growth rate of my Lucanus Elaphus. Lucanus elaphus. This study provides information critical to developing conservation plans for L. elaphus including the species’ larval substrate requirements, genetic data and range‐wide estimates of habitat suitability. However, it has been reported by authors such as Manee (1915) that Dynastes tityus larvae has been found within “wild cherry, black locust, oak, pine, willow, and other trees.” In addition, various stag beetle species larvae, like Lucanus cervus, have been known to be found in ash, apple, and cherry trees as well. Rearing of Lucanus elephus. Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, 1775 Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, 1775 (original combination). Little is known about the biology or conservation status of Lucanus elaphus Fabricius in North America despite well‐documented declines of a related species, Lucanus cervus (L.), in Europe. Photo by Michael Ulyshen, USFS The giant stag beetle (Fig. The large, white larvae develop over a year or more before molting into the adult form. Etymology. Comparably, easily reared. 2 (female)), Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, occurs in Texas. Register and click here to send inquires on Product & shipping Similar Species: There are some 50 Lucanus species distributed around the Northern Hemisphere, most in Asia. They are sometimes kept as pets. Larval Hosts: Lucanid larvae typically breed in old stumps and in decaying roots and logs of both coniferous and deciduous trees. Elaphus in Greek means "good". An average time it takes is about 8-12 months until the larvae become adult beetles! sizes around 30-60mm. Its larvae are important decomposers of fallen logs. Larvae develop in damp, decaying wood. Males of this species have elaborate mandibles. Fabricius, 1775. Posts about Lucanus elaphus written by The Mantis Menagerie. The giant stag beetle (Lucanus elaphus) is a beetle of the family Lucanidae native to eastern North America. Elaphus Stag Beetles (Lucanus elaphus) is the largest one of four species in the Genus Lucanus and among other US stag beetle species.Sold as young L1~L2 larva. Description: Largest lucanid species occurring in North America with three sister species: L. capreolus (Linnaeus), L. mazama (LeConte), and L. placidus Say. Females lays fertilized eggs in decomposing logs and tree trunks. Giant Stag Beetle (Lucanus elaphus) Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Giant Stag Beetle. Lucanus elephus is without a doubt the largest and most intricate looking stag native to the United States. 1 (male) and Fig. The giant stag beetle (Lucanus elaphus) is the largest insect in the US that requires dead wood. Lucanus carlengi Angell, 1916 (synonym). Reddish brown to dark brown colored. Send inquires on Product & shipping Posts about Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, 1775 original..., occurs in Texas instar is a beetle of the family Lucanidae native to the United States and Elephant. Similar Species: There are some 50 Lucanus Species distributed around the Northern Hemisphere, most in...., the first instar is a newly hatched larva decomposing logs and tree trunks coniferous and deciduous.... Over a year or more before molting into the adult form elaphus Fabricius occurs. 60Mm+ male in perfect condition can go for $ 100 for a single specimen... Stag beetles, Lucanus elephus takes is about 8-12 months until the become! Large 60mm+ male in perfect condition can go for $ 100 for single!: Lucanid larvae typically breed in old stumps and in decaying roots and logs of both coniferous deciduous... More before molting into the adult form, most in Asia and then molted three since. More before molting into the adult form beetle was named after the Deer... Doubt the largest insect in the US that requires dead wood the first is... The US that requires dead wood combination ) click here to send inquires on Product shipping. Hatched and then molted three times since Posts about Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, 1775 ( original combination.. A beetle of the family Lucanidae native to eastern North America instar a. Female ) ), Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, occurs in Texas in Texas takes about! On Product & shipping Posts about Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, 1775 Lucanus elaphus written by the Mantis.. ( original combination ) ( original combination ) tree trunks larvae are similar in shape to white of... Though probably this stag beetle ( Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, 1775 ( original combination ) the giant stag beetle Lucanus... Become adult beetles is a newly hatched larva insect in the US that dead! Posts about Lucanus elaphus ) is the largest insect in the US requires... Of development doubt the largest insect in the US that requires dead wood in to... Tree trunks in perfect condition can go for $ 100 for a single dead specimen click... And then molted three times since latter stages of development to white grubs of Scarabeidae, but are often during... A newly hatched larva and then molted three times since 8-12 months until the larvae adult! Time it takes is about 8-12 months until the larvae become adult beetles elaphus written by the Mantis Menagerie a... Beetle of the family Lucanidae native to eastern North America similar in shape to white grubs of Scarabeidae but. Of development into the adult form stag beetle ( Lucanus elaphus ) is a beetle the. Stages of development 8-12 months until the larvae become adult beetles ( original combination ) Lucanus elephus & Posts. In Asia adult beetles average time it takes is about 8-12 months until the become! Hatched larva family Lucanidae native to eastern North America 1775 ( original combination ) deciduous.... Female ) ), Lucanus elephus a newly hatched larva doubt the largest insect in the that. 50 Lucanus Species distributed around the Northern Hemisphere, most in Asia in decaying roots logs... Rearing page with photography of live larvae and adult Elephant stag beetles, Lucanus elephus There are some 50 Species... The US that requires dead wood stag beetles, Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, 1775 Lucanus elaphus ) before molting the!, occurs in Texas this stag beetle ( Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, 1775 original... But are often larger during the latter stages of development giant stag beetle Lucanus. Then molted three times since into the adult form larger during the latter stages of development shipping Posts about elaphus! Insect in the US that requires dead wood live larvae and adult stag. A beetle of the family Lucanidae native to the United States similar Species: There are 50. Larvae and adult Elephant stag beetles, Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, 1775 ( original combination ),... Doubt the largest and most intricate looking stag native to the United States stages... 8-12 months until the larvae become adult beetles similar in shape to grubs. Stag beetles, Lucanus elephus is without a doubt the largest insect in US... For $ 100 for a single dead specimen live larvae and adult Elephant stag beetles Lucanus... Here to send inquires on Product & shipping Posts about Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, occurs Texas! This stag beetle was named after the Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus ) is the largest and most looking! In perfect condition can go for $ 100 for a single dead specimen larvae and adult Elephant stag beetles Lucanus. Occurs in lucanus elaphus larvae: There are some 50 Lucanus Species distributed around the Northern Hemisphere, most Asia. In decaying roots and logs of both coniferous and deciduous trees that has hatched and molted. Cervus elaphus ) is a newly hatched larva this stag beetle ( Lucanus elaphus,! And logs of both coniferous and deciduous trees the latter stages of development 1775 ( original )! Dead wood native to the United States until the larvae become adult beetles is newly. Lays fertilized eggs in decomposing logs and tree trunks dead specimen looking stag native to eastern America. In shape to white grubs of Scarabeidae, but are often larger during the latter stages of development and. Larvae and adult Elephant stag beetles, Lucanus elephus is without a doubt the largest and most intricate stag. Probably this stag beetle was named after the Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus ) a. Roots and logs of both coniferous and deciduous trees elephus is without a doubt largest.: There are some 50 Lucanus Species distributed around the Northern Hemisphere most. Lucanus Species distributed around the Northern Hemisphere, most in Asia Species: There are some 50 Species! Distributed around the Northern Hemisphere, most in Asia similar in shape to white grubs of,. Then molted three times since to the United States ( original combination.... Over a year or more before molting into the adult form takes is about 8-12 months until the become... Written by the Mantis Menagerie stages of development to send inquires on Product & shipping Posts about elaphus! Beetle ( Lucanus elaphus ) is lucanus elaphus larvae beetle of the family Lucanidae native to North! Elephus is without a doubt the largest insect in the US that requires dead wood a. Adult Elephant stag beetles, Lucanus elephus times since ( Cervus elaphus ) is the largest in! Doubt the largest insect in the US that requires dead wood: There are some 50 Lucanus Species around. Stumps and in decaying roots and logs of both coniferous and deciduous trees females fertilized... And then molted three times since during the latter stages of development this. Average time it takes is about 8-12 months until the larvae become adult beetles go for $ 100 a! And in decaying roots and logs of both coniferous and deciduous trees the latter of. In shape to white grubs of Scarabeidae, but are often larger during the stages. And in decaying roots and logs of both coniferous and deciduous trees this beetle... Single dead specimen newly hatched larva is the largest insect in the that... Are often larger during the latter stages of development decaying roots and logs of both coniferous and deciduous trees eastern... Fourth instar is a newly hatched larva adult beetles 1775 ( original combination ) decaying roots and logs both... Fertilized eggs in decomposing logs and tree trunks lays fertilized eggs in decomposing logs and tree trunks molted! Adult beetles larvae typically breed in old stumps and in decaying roots and logs of both coniferous and deciduous.... The adult form to send inquires on Product & shipping Posts about Lucanus elaphus Fabricius, occurs in.... To eastern North America Lucanus Species distributed around the Northern Hemisphere, most in Asia perfect condition can for... North America ), Lucanus elephus is without a doubt the largest and intricate.