Now it’s time for the final phase

The number of dead male stag beetles in our reports is increasing, no longer predominantly eaten beetles, but more and more also exhausted, externally intact beetles. Females are now predominantly observed continuously. Both are signs of an approaching end to the great, conspicuous above-ground period. We present statistics here in mid-July. To start with, it has been a good stag beetle year. They seem to be benefiting somewhat at the moment due to the fact that many trees are dying and are increasing in individuals, so are more conspicuous. Of course, there are two sides to this coin, but the stag beetle only reacts to a supply that can also decline again. It would be worse if climate change dried out the soil too much, or if pests appeared that killed it off. Monitoring is therefore more important than ever, as the tide can still turn for Lucanus cervus.