TAXONOMY

Latin Name: Lucanus mazama (LeConte, 1861)

English Name: Cottonwood Stag Beetle

Size: 30mm±

Distribution: USA (southern states)

Known Hosts:

Etymology:

Comment: Adult beetles attracted to lights. This is one of four Lucanus species known in the United States, only occurring in western states (Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado) with a lot narrower distribution compared to three other species which occur in wider range of distribution. Although its distribution is narrower than three other species, according to our colleagues, they are easily collected. Short and inward-curved mandibles are characters to distinguish from other three more reddish brown and dark brown colored species.

REARING/BREEDING

Many amateur enthusiasts has experienced rearing and breeding this species has not been faced any particular difficulties. Their life cycle is about an year, and adult females lay eggs within an week of copulation, on substrate (no rotten logs required).