Shared from Facebook - a post by Mike Strick and shared by a local friend
I send out this email at work every year but thought I’d share it here this time.
Every year in early summer, the stag beetles emerge to find mates. They have spent the first five to seven years of their life underground as larvae and now have just a few short weeks to live as adults.
Every year I’m shocked by how many people fail to recognise these icons of British wildlife, and am saddened by how many beetles end their lives crushed underfoot. Stag beetles have been around virtually unchanged for millions of years, and are not equipped to survive in an urban environment. Their numbers have declined drastically over the past few decades and the species is seriously endangered.
If you see one on a pavement, please move it out of harm’s way. Despite being large (the male can be up to three inches long), they are placid and harmless provided you don’t stick a finger between the male’s large ‘antlers’, which can inflict quite a strong pinch. Pick them up gently with finger and thumb on either side of the thorax (the middle part of the body, behind the head) and move them into a garden or similar.
Please keep an eye open for them. In flight in the early evening they are phenomenal, flying in an upright and rather ungainly style, making a noise like a small fighter plane. They tend to make a pretty uncontrolled landing, often ending up on pavements, which is where you’re most likely to see them and where they need your help to get to safety. The recent high winds are probably giving them trouble, meaning that they could end up in particularly tricky situations.
If you have children, it would be a big help if you could make sure they know about stag beetles too. Kids probably come across them more frequently than their parents. If they know what they are and what to do, the beetles are more likely to survive the encounter!
These are spectacular animals. We really have nothing else like them. It would be a shame if we lost them forever.
Wow - over 1000 shares! Great to know so many people care - thank you so much for spreading the word! If each one of those shares helps save just one beetle it could make a real difference.
Agreed they are amazing creatures. They spend up to 7 years in pupal form. We used to have loads until a recent development behind our house meant the loss of a very old oak tree. They feed on native rotting deciduous wood so a slightly unkempt corner of your garden is good for them.
Not sure why you would squash any beetle actually.
We encountered one at the South Circ end of Colfe Road late Friday night - he was a very handsome chap! Had not realised they were round here, though I saw plenty as a kid in Berkshire. Will pass on the message.
ha, yes! lots of the … cute little things … about.
I sat in the garden yesterday and found several of the larvae crawling on me
One thing, if you are into these things, is to look out for native ladybirds vs the rather invasive Harlequins. Not easy to tell apart, but the latter are killing off the cute, local ones (don’t tell the #VoteLeave lot though or they’ll use this as another example of the EU attacking Britain … JOKE!!!)
Went for a short walk with my daughter yesterday evening in the hope of seeing a Stag Beetle. We are both fans! Sadly, no luck for us but might try again tonight.
I know @Edd has seen one this year - has anyone else? If so, where?
Free drink (from me) at the meet-up on the 30th for the first person to see one and post the photograph here (and do let me know where so we can maybe try and see one too.)
Yes well that when the fun starts (and not just for the beetles). Hey @RachaelDunlop, now, with luck, you will see a male flying in, in a rather comical way, to mate with her.
