Insect · GBIF taxon 7711888
Lucanus capreolus
lucanus capreolusAlso known as Pinching Beetle, Red-brown Stag Beetle
Reddish-brown stag beetles are imposing woodland insects recognized by their smooth, polished reddish cast and powerful curved mandibles. Males feature prominent antler-like jaws used to wrestle rivals off prime feeding spots and tree trunks. Larvae play a key ecological role as decomposers by feeding on rotting hardwood logs for multiple years before emerging as adults.
NocturnalDeciduous ForestWoodland Insect
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Tree Sap
- Fermenting Fruit
- Decaying Hardwood
Predators
- Woodpeckers
- Raccoons
- Insectivorous Bats
ThreatsRemoval of decaying trees and deforestation
HabitatsDeciduous forests, oak-hickory woodlands, and wooded suburban parks
Life span1 to 3 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderColeoptera
- FamilyLucanidae
- GenusLucanus
- Specieslucanus capreolus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Powerful mandibles can deliver a hard pinch if handled; observe closely without picking up.
- Why it is dangerous
- Strong muscular jaws deliver a pinching bite that can pinch fingers painfully.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Shiny reddish-brown body with sickle-shaped mandibles on the head.
- What to do
- Avoid placing fingers near mandibles and let the beetle crawl freely across open surfaces.
Responsible observation
- Light Attraction: Look for adults near outdoor porch lights or streetlamps on warm summer nights.
- Gentle Observation: Allow beetles to walk onto a stick or leaf rather than gripping them directly.
- Forest Floor Etiquette: Leave fallen logs intact to protect developing grubs underneath.
Saproxylic Neighbor 
Close Relative (c) daksu, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Kin (c) Andy Deans, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andy Deans · cc-by
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