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Cottonwood Stag Beetle

Cottonwood Stag Beetle

Lucanus mazama

A species of Stag beetles

Lucanus mazama is a beetle of the family Lucanidae. Its common name is the Cottonwood Stag Beetle. It is considered "scaraboid" but is not necessarily confined to deserts. They are often found in the wood chip ground covering at playgrounds. It is located primarily in the western and southwestern United States.

General Info About Cottonwood Stag Beetle
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Attributes of Cottonwood Stag Beetle
Colors
Black
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
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Species Status of Cottonwood Stag Beetle
Widespread
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Distribution Area of Cottonwood Stag Beetle
United States
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Life Cycle of Cottonwood Stag Beetle
Egg The eggs of cottonwood Stag Beetle are oval and small. They are usually laid in rotting wood or in the ground. At this stage, the embryo develops within the egg until it is ready to hatch into the next stage of its life cycle.
Larva Upon hatching, the larva of cottonwood Stag Beetle is worm-like with a robust, elongated body and a hardened head capsule. It lacks wings, has a voracious appetite for organic matter, and can moult several times as it grows in size.
Pupal After attaining sufficient growth, the larva of cottonwood Stag Beetle transforms into a pupa. This inactive stage involves significant reorganization, where the larval body transforms into the adult form. This stage is often cocooned or uses a protective case.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult cottonwood Stag Beetle’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction and, in some, establishing territories.
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Interesting Facts About Cottonwood Stag Beetle
Despite its fierce appearance, cottonwood Stag Beetle uses its oversized mandibles primarily for show during mating displays rather than for combat or predation.
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Scientific Classification of Cottonwood Stag Beetle
Tips for Finding Cottonwood Stag Beetle
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Youth Habitat of Cottonwood Stag Beetle
Rotting and Decaying Matter
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Adult Habitat of Cottonwood Stag Beetle
Forests and Woodlands
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How Can You Attract Cottonwood Stag Beetle
Sweet substances like rotting fruits or tree sap can be used as bait to attract cottonwood Stag Beetle.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Cottonwood Stag Beetle
Warm and humid weather conditions might increase the chances of finding cottonwood Stag Beetle as they prefer such an environment.
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How and Where Can You Find Cottonwood Stag Beetle at Different Life Stages
Larva Larvae of cottonwood Stag Beetle are found within or at the base of dead or decaying wood. To find them, carefully inspect and, if possible, gently break apart rotting logs on the ground.
Pupal Pupae of cottonwood Stag Beetle are located within the same decaying wood as larvae but are more immobile. Search in the same locations as the larvae but look for hollowed-out areas where the wood has been cleaned out.
Adult Adult cottonwood Stag Beetle can be found on or around the decaying trees where they grew up or feeding on sap and rotting fruits. Use sweet traps at night or inspect the trunks of trees with signs of sap flow.
Are Cottonwood Stag Beetle harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Cottonwood Stag Beetle
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Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
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Decomposers
Decomposers
Stage
Larvae
Cottonwood Stag Beetle predominantly acts as a decomposer during its larval stage. The larvae bore into and break down dead wood and plant debris, playing a critical role in nutrient cycling within their ecosystem. They possess specialized mouthparts and digestive systems that allow them to efficiently decompose tough plant fibers, releasing valuable nutrients back into the soil and supporting forest health. Notably, cottonwood Stag Beetle has a prolonged larval stage, which significantly contributes to their effectiveness as decomposers.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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