Stag beetle larvae are quite harmless and are a joy to watch. It is the UK’s largest beetle and is found in South East England, particularly in South and West London.

Stag beetles are a family that, though not very colorful, have prominent pincers! Male stag beetles usually have enlarged, sometimes astonishing jaws. Most are black, brownish, or reddish brown. They are strong, elongated beetles. The antennae are enlarged at the tip or clubbed, with segments that fan open like leaves but that cannot be pressed together tightly into a ball.

Stag Beetle Larvae – Other features

• Stag beetles have a shiny black head and thorax (middle section), and chestnut-brown wing cases.
• Males have large antler-like jaws, female jaws are much smaller.
• Stag beetles vary in size. Males are usually about 4-8cm long, females are smaller, usually 3-5cm long.
• A fully-grown stag beetle larva can be up to 11cm long. They’re fairly smooth skinned, have orange head and legs and brown jaws. They’re nearly always found below ground and can be as deep as half a metre down.