Stag Beetle (female)

Prosopocoilus

a stag beetle, Prosopocoilus (?), Lucanidae, from Kakamega Forest, Kenya, October 2016. Photo © by Michael Plagens

Observed attracted to electric lights at Kakamega Forest, Kenya, Africa. Oct. 2016. Length about 15mm. Possible id was provided by Rob Westerduijin.

Stag beetle grubs must develop in a rotting log or root crown and so their biodiversity would be adversely impacted by people gathering dead wood from a forest ecosystem preserve. Males have hugely enlarged mandibles, but females' are small.

Lucanidae -- Stag Beetle Family

More Information:


Kenya Natural History

Copyright Michael J. Plagens, page created 27 Mar. 2017.