stag beetle spread in the Caucasus, North Africa, Central America and Europe.The classification of this species are beetles rhinoceros and deer.These insects prefer damp climate deciduous forests.During the day they hide in hollow trees, and at night lead an active lifestyle.That is why large beetles are rarely seen flying during the day.Only in the evening they were going to artificial light sources.
Nutrition and reproduction
stag beetle, its structure resembling a rhinoceros is still unread book for scientists.The peculiarity of its structure is that - on the head of the male has a backward curved horn.The female has a convex hump on this site.
Painting beetles full of shades of brown shades.Males are always a darker color.Many experts believe that these insects do not eat.But studies have shown that diet rhinos make humus remains of vegetable and juice plants.
The adult beetle lives one season, she devotes reproduction.A female rhinoceros lays its eggs in piles of sawdust in tree hollows or middens.Larvae are considered large, reaching 8 to 12 centimeters.Their transformation into a pupa takes place only after 4 years.After this period, in the light of new beetles emerge!
Another stag
Call this beetle - deer.This view is no less interesting than the previous one.People of the Middle Ages, even legends about these insects.It says that they are able to attract lightning.But in fact, the truth is this: like the beetles fly around large trees.A lightning falls precisely in these spaces.
Interestingly, the stag beetle is recognized as the largest of all the insect world.Due to unusual external data it is often called an aristocrat.Scientists believe that there are 3 subspecies of stag beetles.
Large and small beetles
subtypes differ from each other in size.The smallest of them reach a length of 3.5 centimeters.Large Rogachev are those ranging in size up to 8-9 centimeters.It was recorded and larger individuals in Syria and Turkey.But most of all in the nature of these insects are of medium size.
I must admit that is pretty interesting massive stag beetle.Description distinguishes it from the others in that males are the horns (mandible).They are not only an ornament, but also serve its owner as a weapon of self-defense or attack.
In earlier times played mandible chewing function.When the power is deer mutate the horns have been used in clashes with their own kind.Thanks to them, many people immediately recognize their owner, wondering: "stag beetle eats what and how to live?"
In this regard he is no different from his fellow - rhino.To supply the course is tree sap, mostly oaks.Often one such "wounds" on the trunk beetles accumulates 10-20.
Here there was fighting and mating.It is interesting to observe their tournament fights!The males are fighting among themselves, seeking to defeat the enemy.The winner gets a prize - a female!
Stage breeding
stag beetle by nature active and energetic.It is usually attracted to the pheromones of the female.Thanks to them, a female manages to gather around him a few males.As a rule, they immediately come to the fight, to take possession of the female.
During the fight males change the location of his body.They are on two feet and try to help get rid of the horns of the opponent, dropping it from the tree.Then the pairing between the winner and the female, which usually lasts up to 3 hours.
next phase - egg laying.The female stag beetle chooses to do the same place as the female rhinoceros.Remember that this tree stumps, tree hollows and piles of organic debris.The only stag beetle larvae develop longer - up to 5 years, getting up to 14 centimeters thick and the size of a human finger.
get real giants!In addition, it found that delicate body of the larvae are not afraid of frosty periods.Only they need a certain amount of moisture.Its deficiency can lead to fetal death.
from larva to pupa
Scientists have recognized the fact that the larvae in common with each other chirping sounds that come out of the tab on the legs of an insect.Further transformation - cocoon.It is made from wood rot larvae and excreta.Then the sealed fluid of the salivary glands.
The development of the pupa is given 3 months.But even after becoming a beetle specimen while still in the cocoon.An interesting nuance - male larva prepares for itself a cocoon large to fit in a future horns.
Unfortunately, the total number of beetles deer and rhinos falls.The reason for this are the environmental factors, due to which the modified habitat of insects and is declining reproduction.Red Book and human consciousness - the only measure to save unusual species.
