Lesser Stag Beetle

Name: Lesser Stag Beetle

Scientific name: Dorcus parallelopipedus

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 60

What are nature stars?

About: A large beetle with large jaws. Larvae burrow in dead wood and old trees. Adults can be found in woodland, parks and along hedgerows during the summer, often resting in the sun on tree trunks. Up to 3cm long.

How to identify: A large beetle with a very large, broad head and large jaws.

Where: England and Wales

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 10
• Agility: 60
• Rarity: 50
• Cute factor: 50
• Traveller: 40

Fantastic fact: Sometimes mistaken for the rarer and larger Stag Beetle.

Photograph credit: Mick E. Talbot