This Beetle is Worth ₹75 Lakhs!

The Stag Beetle also known as the Lucanus Cervus, found in the United Kingdom, is considered the most expensive insect in the world, costing about ₹75 lakh. These beetles can be identified by their shiny black heads and the central section of their bodies, known as the thorax.

Male beetles are especially noticeable due to their large, antler-like mandibles on their heads. In terms of size, male stag beetles range from 35 mm to 75 mm in length, whereas females are slightly smaller, typically between 30 mm and 50 mm.

This exotic breed of beetle is worth thousands of dollars. Some rare species or subspecies, which are difficult to acquire, can even be sold for unimaginable prices. Their cultural significance is particularly notable in countries like Japan and South Korea, where beetles are commonly kept as pets and are a sign of good luck. Due to increasing demand and decrease in its availability, collecting rare stag beetles has become a hobby for the extremely wealthy.

Stag beetles spend most of their lives underground in warm, dark soil during their larval stage. In colder environments, this underground phase can be prolonged further. Almost all adult beetles have mandibles (jaws), but stag beetles have significantly larger ones, which they use while mating.

These cold-sensitive beetles are commonly found on woodland edges, in gardens, along roadside trees, and in older orchards throughout Western Europe. However, they have started to vanish from areas that once supported large populations. For instance, they are now completely extinct in countries like Denmark and Latvia. Their population has significantly declined over the years and is now largely restricted to the south-eastern regions.

Stag beetles face numerous threats that could lead to their extinction in the near future. These threats include habitat loss, deforestation, and human activities. Adult stags typically spend most of the winter underground and emerge around mid-May. However, they cannot survive extreme cold temperatures, which is why most of them die by August.

Their appearance often instils fear among some  humans because of which they kill them. They are harmless insects who are attracted to the warm surface of the pavements which triggers a risk of being crushed under the moving vehicles. 

Stag beetles are also bred to increase their availability, but their growth from larvae to adults takes time. This slow development contributes to the rise in their demand and price, especially among breeders who raise stag beetles in climate-controlled environments and follow specific diets. The larvae primarily feed on dead wood for several years, while adult stag beetles mostly drink fluids from decomposing fruits.

This well-known species is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which safeguards various species of animals, plants, and insects. [Rh/VS]