Stag Beetle action plan

Aims
1. To protect, conserve and enhance the nationally significant populations of stag beetle in London.
2. To ascertain the reasons for the uneven distribution of stag beetle populations across London.
3. To maintain the stag beetle as a valued London species through increasing public awareness of their importance and that of their dead wood habitat.



The stag beetle is Britain's largest terrestrial (ground-living) beetle occasionally reaching 8cm in length. The stag beetle is characterised by possessing large mandibles (jaws) which are antler-shaped in the male, giving them their common name. These 'antlers' are used for fighting other males, whereas the female's mandibles, being smaller, are more powerful.

The stag beetle requires dead wood to complete its lifecycle. The eggs are laid underground in the soil next to logs or the stumps of dead trees, and the larva (or grub) will spend up to seven years in the wood, slowly growing in size. They contribute to the recycling of dead wood, which in turn helps enrich the soil. Timber is also utilised, especially sunken fence posts. Perhaps surprisingly, London is nationally significant for the stag beetle populations it supports - over 3,000 (approximately 30%) of the 1998 national survey records were from the capital.

Contact
The Lead for this species is London Wildlife Trust.
Steve Whitbread
London Wildlife Trust
Ground Floor,
Skyline House,
200 Union Street,
London SE1 0LW

Email: [email protected]
Web: www.wildlondon.org.uk

Photo of Stag Beetle © Tony Drakeford



This is only a summary - download the full audit in pdf or text format

Related documents:
• Stag Beetle: An advice note for its conservation in London

• Join the Stag Beetle Hunt; Stag Beetle Survey 2005

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