Stag Beetles

Lucanus cervus

Stag beetles are in severe danger of disappearing from their natural environment. Gangs descend on India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Australia and Nepal and go into the mountains or tribal areas and pay the locals small amounts to collect live insects. The insects are then drugged and smuggled via airlines. Stag beetles are good for the environment. They eat rotting wood, returning important minerals to the soil, but they do not eat living plants. They are harmless, and are among the rarer beetles - even rarer now due to a trend in Japan. This trend has led to a multi-million dollar industry that revolves around imports of exotic beetles. This began with a hit video game ‘Mushi King’, in which players collect cards of stag beetles to fight tournaments. This passion has led to collecting real insects and staging fights for gamblers, a trade which has reached over $100 million annually. Weather changes caused by climate change are also impacting stag beetles. Exceptionally dry or wet weather affects larvae and reproduction. Wet weather inhibits the ability to fly, so they are unable to find a mate.