Lucanidae

There are four species of Lucanidae in Britain, all of which feed in decaying wood although one, the blue stag Platycerus caraboides (L.) has not been seen since before 1900 and is presumed extinct in the country.  Lucanus cervus (L.), the stag beetle, is the largest (to 66mm) and perhaps the most recognisable beetle in Britain, especially the male which has long extended mandibles (the ‘antlers’ that give the species its name).