Stag Beetle!

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yellowjack

Original Poster:

17,082 posts

167 months

Monday 1st July 2013
quotequote all
Just like it says in the thread title. A female Stag Beetle.

I found this female Stag Beetle wandering about on the road on Saturday evening. Very much in danger of being run over, I scooped her up, took a few snaps, then put her down in the (relative) safety of some nearby grass.



Sat on the back of my mountain biking glove.



The back of my (gloved) hand



Sat on the second finger of my left hand.


I was glad I was on a bike, as I think I'd have squashed her if I'd been in a car. I know we're not meant to interfere, but Stag Beetles are not exactly commonplace, and I didn't want to find her squashed flat on my way home, so I took her out of immediate danger. Good to see one again, as the last time I saw a live one was two years ago.

Jasandjules

69,978 posts

230 months

Monday 1st July 2013
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Well done for saving her.

Oddly get a fair few around here.

prand

5,916 posts

197 months

Monday 1st July 2013
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Great creature - love seeing them buzzing about on a summer's evening. Nice work saving them!

yellowjack

Original Poster:

17,082 posts

167 months

Monday 1st July 2013
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
Well done for saving her.

Oddly get a fair few around here.
Where is 'here'? Do you have any Oak trees nearby? They favour the fallen wood of Oak trees for the development of their larvae.

This is probably why they are less common around my area, as most of the woodland is coniferous and managed.