Beetle stag beetle. Two kinds

The beetle is common in the Caucasus, North Africa, Central America and Europe. The classification of this species includes rhinoceros beetles and deer. These insects prefer the humid climate of broad-leaved forests. During the day they hide in the hollows of trees, and at night they lead an active life. This is why large beetles can rarely be seen as flying day. Only in the evening they gather for artificial light sources.

Nutrition and reproduction

The beetle-horn, reminiscent of its rhinoceros structure, is still an unread book for scientists. The peculiarity of its structure is that - on the head of a male there is a horn bent back. The female has a convex tubercle in this place.

The color of beetles is full of tones of brown hues. Male individuals always have a darker color. Many experts believe that these insects do not eat at all. But research has shown that the rhinoceros diet consists of rotted plant remains and plant juice.

An adult beetle lives one season, which she devotes to breeding. A female rhinoceros lays its eggs in piles of sawdust, in tree hollows or in manure piles. The larvae are considered large and reach 8 to 12 centimeters. Their transformation into pupae occurs only after 4 years. After this period new beetles fly out into the light!

Another stag

This beetle is called a deer. This species is no less interesting than the previous one. People of the Middle Ages even laid down a legend about these insects. It says that they can attract lightning. But in fact, the truth is this: bugs love to fly around large trees. And lightning falls into such plantations.

It is interesting that the deer beetle is recognized as the largest of the whole world of insects. Thanks to unusual external data, he is often called an aristocrat. Scientists believe that there are 3 subspecies of deer beetles.

Large and small beetles

The subspecies differ in size from each other. The smallest of them reach a length of 3.5 centimeters. Large horns are those whose dimensions range from 8 to 9 centimeters. There were also recorded larger specimens in Syria and Turkey. But most often in nature these insects are of medium size.

I must admit that the massive stag beetle is quite interesting. The description distinguishes him from others in that the males have horns (mandibles). They are not only an ornament, but also serve their master as an instrument of self-defense or attack.

In an earlier era, the mandibles performed a chewing function. When the deer's food changed, the horns began to be used in skirmishes with their own kind. Thanks to them, many people instantly recognize their owner, asking: " Is the beetle a beetle than feeds and how does it live?"

In this matter, he is no different from his fellow - rhinoceros. To feed in the course is the juice of trees, most often oaks. Often, one such "wound" on the trunk accumulates 10-20 beetles.

Here there are fights and mating. It's interesting to watch their tournament fights! Males are fighting among themselves, trying to overcome the enemy. The winner gets the prize - the female!

Reproduction stage

Beetle-horn is by nature active and energetic. It is usually attracted by female pheromones. Thanks to them, a female person manages to collect around himself several males. As a rule, they immediately enter into a struggle to take possession of the female.

During the fight, males change the location of their body. They stand on two legs and try to get rid of the opponent with the help of horns, dropping it from the tree. Then a pairing takes place between the winner and the female, which usually lasts up to 3 hours.

The next phase is the laying of eggs. A female specimen of a deer beetle chooses the same places for this as the rhinoceros. We remind you that these are stumps, hollows and piles of organic remains. The only thing is that the larvae of the deer bug develop longer - up to 5 years, acquiring a length of up to 14 centimeters and a human-sized thickness.

Get a real giants! In addition, it was revealed that the delicate bodies of larvae are not afraid of frosty periods. The only thing, they need a certain amount of moisture. Its deficiency can lead to the death of the fetus.

From the larva to the pupa

Scientists have recognized the fact that the larvae echo with each other the chirping sounds that come from the protrusions located in the paws of the insect. Further transformation is a cocoon. It is made by larvae from wood dust and excrement. Then it is fastened by a liquid of salivary glands.

The development of the pupa is given 3 months. But even after turning into a beetle, the individual remains in the cocoon for a while. An interesting nuance is that the male larva prepares a large cocoon for itself so that future horns can fit into it.

Unfortunately, the total number of deer beetles and rhinoceroses is decreasing. The reason for this are environmental factors, because of which the habitat of insects is modified and reproduction is declining. The red book and human consciousness are the only measure in order to preserve the unusual species.