Lesser stag beetle - Dorcus parallelopipedus - Family: Lucanidae

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Lesser stag beetle - Dorcus parallelopipedus
© English Nature

This a large grey-black beetle like a diminutive stag beetle. Although males have larger jaws than females, they are nowhere near as pronounced in size as is the case in that species. Adults as well as the white, C-shaped larvae are found in very soft decaying wood of broad-leaved trees, especially ash, beech and apple.

Adults are active in mid-summer and disperse by flying, and sometimes coming to outside lights. This is a widespread species in most of England and common, except in the very north, coming into gardens wherever there are big trees, orchards or old hedges.

Food

Larvae found in rotting beech, ash, elm, apple and willow.

Plants

Apple, Ash, Crack willow

Predators

Carrion crow