Stag beetle appeal

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Will you help save Britain’s native stag beetles?

Stag beetles rely on dead wood. Their larvae feed on it for up to seven years, before emerging in summer as beetles. But the dead wood they depend on is often removed, even though it’s an amazing habitat for beetles and loads of other species as well. Removal of woodlands, housing developments, and the ‘tidying up’ of parks and gardens has reduced spaces for stag beetles.

Stag beetle appeal PTES image by @tobertronic
Image by @tobertronic
Male stag beetle by Sally Hunter
Image by Sally Hunter

Stag beetles are a protected species. Although widespread across the UK, they’re extremely rare or extinct elsewhere in Britain. They’re declining in Europe too, and extinct in Denmark and Latvia already. We really don’t want that to happen here. Stag beetles are our largest land beetle and are amazing creatures.

What we’re doing to help save stag beetles

We’ve launched the stag beetle appeal because we want to protect stag beetles, their larvae, and their habitat. Stag beetles lay their eggs near dead wood and the larvae then feed on that wood for up to seven years. We need as many people as possible to leave stumps in their gardens, or create log piles which are great homes for stags and other insects.

Stag beetle larvae from rotting wood. Photo by James Wragg
Image by James Wragg

Our Great Stag Hunt survey is now in its 22nd year. Thanks to thousands of people who’ve recorded stag beetle sightings over the years, we now have a really good idea of where stag beetles live, and more people are looking out for their welfare.

Donate today to help stag beetles

Thank you