STAG BEETLES

These remarkable beetles are very distinctive and hard to miss when in flight. Sadly, they are a globally threatened species, and in the UK their numbers have declined since the 1940s. Surveys suggest that they are now more restricted to the south east of England, with concentrations in a few places, such as the Thames Valley. 

The less visible larvae of the stag beetle take several years to fully develop within dead and decaying hardwood below ground level, and a primary cause of the decline is the reduction of this dead wood habitat in parks and woodland.

The impressive, but short-lived, adults can be seen flying between May and July as they search for a mate and lay their eggs. Despite their somewhat ferocious appearance they do not bite or sting, and the male’s large antlers are only used against other male beetles.

What’s happening to stag beetles in Maidenhead?

Maidenhead is one of the areas where we are fortunate enough to see stag beetles zooming around in summer. However, it is unclear how the local population is faring and sightings do seem to be less frequent. If you see stag beetles please share photos with us and report them via iNaturalist.

What can I do?

Stag beetles need dead wood, so you can help stag beetles easily, either by leaving dead wood where it is or adding a dead wood ‘loggery‘ in a shaded area of your garden (made from hardwood, not softwood, conifer wood or treated timber.

Ideally, retain any dead wood on site using logs and stumps in large pieces, the larger the better. Some of this needs to be in shade to avoid the wood drying out.

​Check garden ponds and water butts during the adult flying season because beetles often fall in and cannot swim. And try to prevent cats and other predators from attacking the flying adults.