legalalien Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 Slightly random one.I suspect quite a few stag beetles live in our back garden. The garden part of it is a bit wild and there are some gradually rotting sleepers which I guess they like. We see them from time to time.This morning one of them was traversing the small astroturf bit in the middle of the garden. I relocated him or her to a woody bit. Four hours later he or she was back on the astro travelling in the other direction (same one, seems to have a small bit of paint on its back ). The neighbours are building a garden office at the moment and I wonder if he or she is a refugee? I've put him or her back in a woody bit again. Just went to check, has moved about a foot and is under a broken bit of sleeper snuffling at some wet leaves and waving legs and antennae around. Looks as though he or she is formulating a plan (probably to traverse the astro turf - back to the building site maybe?). Where should I be looking to relocate a confused stag beetle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alice Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 could it be nail varnish? the paint i mean. I have heard this is used to track their location. It may just be taking a break in its journey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siousxiesue Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/insects-invertebrates/facts-about-stag-beetle/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidKruger Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 Not sure if sleepers are best habitat, from memory they're heavily steeped (or used to be) in creosote or similar dastardly poison/preservative. Stag beetles do thrive in a damp rotten wood environment though (if Nunhead cemetery is anything to go by). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legalalien Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 Ok - so thanks to Siouxsie - it's a girl. our sleepers look ancient and really decayed so I don't think I've poisoned her. Didn't realise the adult stage was so short. going to put out some over-ripe plums in case that helps. Fingers crossed she is on an egg laying mission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alice Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 Sorry my info was for snails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blah Blah Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 Essentially stag beetles need wet wood that is partially (and rotting) underground. As you've discovered, the beetle stage is actually the end of their lives from the larvae stage. A female will almost certainly lay her eggs near to rotting wood, so you may see another crop emerge next year :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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