Posted by Mike Smith on April 10, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Phil
We are mid way digging out an old ash tree stump and have so far unearthed 6 of these larvae - I think they are stag beetle? - about 2.5 -3 ins long. They are in soil layer in rotting tree roots feeding on decomposing bark. We used to get stag beetles flying over in teh evening but have not seen any for several years now, these larvae seem very advanced
I had always thought stag beetles were oak stump boring insects, but clearly way out of kilter here if these are stag larvae. I know that Stags are extremely rare in Berkshire, but are they schedule 1 protected - if so what is my legal position pls regards rest of stump....... from above below
Posted by Mike Smith on April 10, 2009 at 10:08 AM
pic 2
Posted by John Robinson on April 10, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Lucky you ! Looks like them to me. The aboriginees would love em !
I doub't if you would be prosecuted as they were not willfully dug up ! There are a lot of sites relating to them. Try a google. I do know they emerge as adults in the Autumn but remain in hibernation. They have been reared in dustbins of bark chippings I recall. You could try it with some of the stuff they were in.
Good luck !
Cheers
JohnR
Certainly looks like a greater stag beetle to me and it's curled up just like they do when disturbed. They like all kinds of wood and are normally found just below ground level, the lesser stag lives in drier wood just above ground.
Posted by Mike Smith on April 10, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Thanks all, I've reburied them by roots with some of the root bark, should have said was a sycamore not an ash - we felled it three years ago as it was rotting and overhanging GW railway cutting, now trying to remove the stump so we can re-use the ground, but may have to think again.
First larvae was just in soil layer of my trench in a layer of decomposing material and our garden robin was nervously pecking it's emerging head which attracted my attention Nos 2-6 emerged when I uncovered a large root, and I then stopped digging
BTW, it appears that the beetle has only limited protection, basically against being sold/traded - it's Schedule 5 §9 (Schedule 1 is birds only!). May be worth leaving the stump for another year or two... give a home to a few beetles and other bugs .
If you look at the second link supplied by Nick, the two species are very similar, but these larvae just curled up into the "U" shape and didn't move at all in about half an hour, just played dead, also they were very fat and too big. Cockchafer larvae seem to have orange roundals along the flank missing on my grubs, also Cockchafers feed on living roots not rotting wood - we have these May bugs in the garden as well
Must apologise, I have not been online for a few days... what with my son getting married, which was a very emotional affair, plus an obsession with Water Voles....
Your ID is quite correct, a great find.... you have been given correct advice, it may be worth checking the NHM web site, I can't remember if we are still monitoring them...
Discussion
11 repliesWe are mid way digging out an old ash tree stump and have so far unearthed 6 of these larvae - I think they are stag beetle? - about 2.5 -3 ins long. They are in soil layer in rotting tree roots feeding on decomposing bark. We used to get stag beetles flying over in teh evening but have not seen any for several years now, these larvae seem very advanced
I had always thought stag beetles were oak stump boring insects, but clearly way out of kilter here if these are stag larvae. I know that Stags are extremely rare in Berkshire, but are they schedule 1 protected - if so what is my legal position pls regards rest of stump....... from above below
I doub't if you would be prosecuted as they were not willfully dug up ! There are a lot of sites relating to them. Try a google. I do know they emerge as adults in the Autumn but remain in hibernation. They have been reared in dustbins of bark chippings I recall. You could try it with some of the stuff they were in.
Good luck !
Cheers
JohnR
First larvae was just in soil layer of my trench in a layer of decomposing material and our garden robin was nervously pecking it's emerging head which attracted my attention Nos 2-6 emerged when I uncovered a large root, and I then stopped digging
Stags prefer oak, but will use what they can find (even Buddleia!)
Greg
You might find this document helpful.
Also PTES Stag Beetle factsheet
BTW, it appears that the beetle has only limited protection, basically against being sold/traded - it's Schedule 5 §9 (Schedule 1 is birds only!). May be worth leaving the stump for another year or two... give a home to a few beetles and other bugs
oops - Greg replied while I was typing
Very usefull, wifey wanted a small pond, I now want a couple of sunken log piles.......
I can see we will have both, yet more building work
One day I will get out at weekends with my camera again
Look at this picture posted on a Dutch site. In Dutch they are called "Meikever"
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bestand:Meikeverlarven_(Melolontha_melolontha).jpg
If you look at the second link supplied by Nick, the two species are very similar, but these larvae just curled up into the "U" shape and didn't move at all in about half an hour, just played dead, also they were very fat and too big. Cockchafer larvae seem to have orange roundals along the flank missing on my grubs, also Cockchafers feed on living roots not rotting wood - we have these May bugs in the garden as well
Must apologise, I have not been online for a few days... what with my son getting married, which was a very emotional affair, plus an obsession with Water Voles....
Your ID is quite correct, a great find.... you have been given correct advice, it may be worth checking the NHM web site, I can't remember if we are still monitoring them...
All the best
Phil