Walked outside with the dogs and saw this on the sidewalk. It's about 1 1/2" long. Big thing. It was walking to go off the sidewalk and I wanted to get a picture of it, so I gently, with my foot, moved it back. It didn't care much for that as it reared back on it's hind legs and it's pincer was trying to grab my shoe. What is it?
This is a female stag beetle (Coleoptera: Lucanidae); likely in the genus Lucanus - see http://tinyurl.com/2cvvvzd for an example. Their larvae develop in rotting wood; the adults may feed on sap or overripe fruit; some species may not feed at all as adults. Large female stag beetles have very strong jaws, and can draw blood if handled carelessly. In contrast, the much larger jaws of male stag beetles usually are capable of little more than a pinch.
Hench the nickname "pinching bug"??? That's what we called them as kids.
Do they get bigger than this? I have never heard of one or seen one before today.
Thank you suunto! How did you know it was a female?
hemlady, I can't imagine what it would have done if I hadn't had my shoe on!
Here it is, back on it's haunches. She was not happy with me at all.
Thanks again!
The males have longer mandibles than the females - see http://tinyurl.com/2b27h9q for an example. This reaches an extreme with our largest species, the giant stag beetle, Lucanus elaphus - see http://tinyurl.com/29plslw
I did a search once I had a name for it and also found out that her going back on her haunches is normal. Who knew? ;)
I don't know how you know all this, but I'm glad you do! Thank you!!
