With their massive antler-like jaws and reddish-brown bodies, the stag beetle is one of Britain’s most recognisable and unique species.

But according to wildlife experts, they are becoming increasingly rare to find and are now listed as an endangered species.

For the past 15 years, People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) has been actively working to halt the decline of this iconic insect.

Now PTES is asking volunteers to join their annual Great Stag Hunt Survey this summer and record any sightings.

By the end of May this year, only 384 stag beetles have been recorded, so all contributions are vital to this survey.

And Bournemouth is one of the ‘hot spots’ for sightings of stag beetles, according to the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Sally Welbourn, communications officer, explained: “In 2013 the state of nature report stated that stag beetles were in decline in the UK and threatened globally, but the Bournemouth area remains a hot spot for these creatures, and we’ve had quite a few sightings over the past couple of years in Verwood, Parkstone, Ferndown, Charminster and Highcliffe.

“It’s great to know they are still breeding in the urban areas of Dorset, and we need to record their numbers for conservation purposes. They are a sight to behold, and can grow up to 7.5cm. Their giant jaws aren’t for biting us, they’re used for fighting other stag beetles.”

Details of how to take part in the Great Stag Hunt are available at the website ptes.org

A bug’s life

For much of their life cycle, stag beetles stay underground as larvae, feeding on rotten wood for up to seven years before building large ovoid cocoons and eventually metamorphosing into their more recognisable form.

Given that they take so much time to develop, it is a shame that fully formed stag beetles can only be expected to survive around three months above ground.

Threatened by significant loss of habitat and human interactions, adult stag beetles are also at risk from cats and magpies. If they manage to avoid an early departure, then the winter months will finish the job.
Unfortunately, the stag beetle’s tough exterior and formidable looking mandibles encourages some people to kill them without realising they are not harmful to humans.

If you spot a stag beetle, head to the website and ensure it is recorded.

  • Information courtesy of PTES

 

How to create a creature haven

  • Leave old tree stumps or posts in the ground to provide the ideal habitat for developing larva.
  • Avoid polythene sheeting in spring time as this will trap the emerging adult beetles.
  • Cover water butts and provide access out of ponds.
  • Use untreated woodchips or mulch to encourage nesting.
  • If larvae are disturbed, rebury them close by and cover loosely with soil.