Photo of the month:
Stag beetle
The
stag beetles are a group of about 1,200 species of beetle in the family
Lucanidae, the most well-known species being
Lucanus cervus, a large beetle found in much of Europe. Some species grow to 8 cm (3.25 in), but usually they are about 5 cm (2 in).
The name is derived from the large and distinctive mandibles found on the males, that are used in much the same way as the antlers on stags are between males competing for mates. Carolus Linnaeus named the beetle
Lucanus cervus. Pliny the Elder noted that
Nigidius called the stag beetle lucani after the Italian region of Lucania where they were used as amulets. The mandibles of the male beetle are like the antlers of a deer (genus Cervus).
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Tarantulas
