Lucanus capreolus
Encyclopedia
Lucanus capreolus is a beetle
of the Family Lucanidae. The species name "capreolus" is derived from Latin, meaning "Roe Deer
" ("capreolus" literally means "little goat
"). The name refers to the resemblance of the antennae to deer antlers.
A relatively large lucanid beetle of the genus Lucanus, with male having long, curved upper jaws, resembling a sickle. The larvae are found in the trunks of old trees, feeding on the inner wood. Dark reddish brown with smooth, shiny elytra; femora orange-brown. Males have much larger jaws than females. Jaws of male not as large as those of Lucanus elaphus. The smaller L. placidus has two or more teeth on jaws and has the femora dark. Size: 22-35 mm
Was originally described by Linnaeus as Scarabaeus capreolus in 1763. (orig. comb.). Other known synonymies are:
As with most of the species of the Lucanidae, there is a pronounced sex dimorphism, and the male of Lucanus capreolus is larger than the female and armed with the antennae in the form of antlers.
and some parts of Canada
. Could be found around decaying logs and stumps, where it breeds. Males use mandibles to fight at breeding sites. Eggs are deposited in rotting wood. Larvae live in decaying wood of deciduous trees. It is reported that larvae take two years to develop, and pupate in nearby soil. Attracted to lights at night.
Beetle
Coleoptera is an order of insects commonly called beetles. The word "coleoptera" is from the Greek , koleos, "sheath"; and , pteron, "wing", thus "sheathed wing". Coleoptera contains more species than any other order, constituting almost 25% of all known life-forms...
of the Family Lucanidae. The species name "capreolus" is derived from Latin, meaning "Roe Deer
Roe Deer
The European Roe Deer , also known as the Western Roe Deer, chevreuil or just Roe Deer, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from...
" ("capreolus" literally means "little goat
Goat
The domestic goat is a subspecies of goat domesticated from the wild goat of southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the Bovidae family and is closely related to the sheep as both are in the goat-antelope subfamily Caprinae. There are over three hundred distinct breeds of...
"). The name refers to the resemblance of the antennae to deer antlers.
Description
Was originally described by Linnaeus as Scarabaeus capreolus in 1763. (orig. comb.). Other known synonymies are:
- L. dama Fabricius 1775: 2.
- L. trigonus Thunberg, 1806: 199.
- L. muticus Thunberg, 1806: 205.
As with most of the species of the Lucanidae, there is a pronounced sex dimorphism, and the male of Lucanus capreolus is larger than the female and armed with the antennae in the form of antlers.
Habitat
It lives in deciduous forests and adjacent areasin the Eastern United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and some parts of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Could be found around decaying logs and stumps, where it breeds. Males use mandibles to fight at breeding sites. Eggs are deposited in rotting wood. Larvae live in decaying wood of deciduous trees. It is reported that larvae take two years to develop, and pupate in nearby soil. Attracted to lights at night.
External links
- Lucanus capreolus at the Encyclopædia BritannicaEncyclopædia BritannicaThe Encyclopædia Britannica , published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia that is available in print, as a DVD, and on the Internet. It is written and continuously updated by about 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 expert...
- Lucanus capreolus at bugguide.net