Stag Beetles

Stag beetles are the largest UK beetle and easily recognized by the male’s impressive antler-like jaws, which they use in dramatic wrestling matches to compete for the attention of females. While the females lack the prominent jaws, they are equally important, using their strong mandibles for burrowing into the soil to lay their eggs.

The larvae spend several years feeding on decaying wood beneath the forest floor. This crucial role in breaking down deadwood makes them vital decomposers within Fox Hill Woods’ ecosystem. Eventually, the larvae pupate, transforming into the adult beetles we hope to see during the summer months. The adult stage is brief, lasting only a few weeks, and is primarily dedicated to mating.

Fox Hill Woods, with its mix of mature trees and natural deadwood, provides a natural habitat for stag beetles. Adding to this are the “stag beetle hotels” constructed with help from the local Scout group, comprising a pit in the ground into which upright logs are buried. This design provides the ideal conditions for female stag beetles to lay their eggs at the base of the decaying wood. The submerged logs then offer a long-lasting food source for the developing larvae.