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Lucanus cervus (female)


Lucanus cervus (female)
Photo Information
Copyright: Nemes Septimiu (septimiu_nemes) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 153 W: 0 N: 371] (2159)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D 80, Nikon AFS 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF DX, Kenko UV MC Digital 67mm
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-02-05 8:11
Viewed: 747
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Lucanus cervus

Lucanus cervus is the best-known species of stag beetle (family Lucanidae), and is sometimes referred to simply as the stag beetle. It lives in holes in old trees and dead trunks, in the forest as well as in groves. Forest management, in eliminating old trees and deadwood, eliminates at the same time the habitat and food of this species. Once quite common, the population of the Lucanus cervus, along with that of other species of beetles which feed on wood, is in steep decline, and is now listed as a globally threatened/declining species.

Adults appear during late May to the beginning of August being most active in the evenings. Females lay their eggs in a piece of decaying wood. Stag Beetle larvae, which are blind and shaped like a letter "C", feed on rotting wood in a variety of places, tree stumps, old trees and shrubs, rotting fence posts, compost heaps and leaf mould. The larvae have a cream-coloured soft transparent body with six orange legs, and an orange head which is very distinct from the very sharp brown pincers. They have combs in their legs which they use for communication (stridulation) with other larvae. The larvae go through several developmental stages (instars), taking 4 to 6 years to become pupae. The work of entomologist Charlie Morgan during the late 1970s discovered that the pupae of the Stag Beetle live in the soil for about 3 months, then emerge in summer to awkwardly fly off to mate. Adults only live for a few months feeding on nectar and tree sap. Their slow, lumbering flight, usually at dusk, makes a distinctive low-pitched buzzing sound. The males fly more readily than the females. The modern Italian word for a toy kite cervo volante (and hence the French cerf-volant) may derive from the ancient amusement of flying the beetles on a length of thread.

The stag beetle is preyed upon by magpies, chickens, badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, cats, and woodpeckers.

The natural reaction of the beetle to an approaching large object is to remain motionless making them a good photographic subject. Sexually dimorphic, the males have enlarged mandibles and are larger than the females. Although the male's mandibles seem threatening, they are too weak to be harmful. Nevertheless, females can inflict a painful bite. It is the resemblance of the male's mandibles to the horns of a stag, and their use in combat between males, much like with deer, that gives the species its scientific and common names.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Alex99, haraprasan, uleko, nglen, siggi, maurydv, eng55, boreocypriensis, jaycee, Noisette has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 15 N: 1566] (6115)
  • [2009-02-05 8:13]

Salut Septimiu
O poza buna cu detalii sharp, compozitie si culori frumoase.
Numai bine.
Razvan

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3581 W: 143 N: 5669] (18529)
  • [2009-02-05 8:42]

Hi Nemes.
You have pictured an amazing specimen of the beetle. And I also like wonderful substrate (broken branch) and fine colorful scenery. Composition of the shot, sharpness of the insect and its details as ell as nice level of blurriness of the BG are superb. My kind wishes and TFS.
Alexei.

Hi Nemes,
A nice capture of this beautiful beetle. Excellent sharp details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Ciao Septimiu, superb macro of fantastic bug, perfect focus and lovely details, great colors and splendid sharpnes, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2983 W: 162 N: 911] (2687)
  • [2009-02-05 9:57]

Hello Septimiu,
This capture of a Stag Beetle is superb! I love the sharp focus and the fine details and it stands out so nicely against the natural background! Lovely colours and a very well composed.
TFS and regards, Ulla

hello Nemes
beautiful picture
good composition
i like the details
great shot
greeting lou

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2900 W: 34 N: 8586] (32012)
  • [2009-02-05 10:35]

Hi Nemes. I love to see the stag beetle they look like strong tanks. I like your top POV so we can see the bug in all its glory . With good detail and colours. and a shine to its body. well done TFS. Interesting notes too.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1365 W: 56 N: 4667] (16040)
  • [2009-02-05 10:41]

Hello Nemes,
Very good macro. Good colors, details and sharpness. Nice depth of field, interesting point of view and a rare species.
Best regards Siggi

Ciao Septimiu,
a beautiful macro of Lucanus cervus taken with good sharpness in a nice composition, the colours are bright.
TFS. Best regards.
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1122 W: 32 N: 1109] (3430)
  • [2009-02-05 10:55]

Hi Nemes,
Beautiful close up.I liked clarity,lighting,exposure and details a lot.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3800 W: 190 N: 11298] (34839)
  • [2009-02-05 12:47]

Hello Septimiu,
This is a superb macro of a female Lucanus cervus taken from a great dorsal POV with excellent sharpness and lighting. The composition on the piece of dead wood is excellent and the OOF natural green BG makes it show up well.
Well done and thanks for sharing this delight,
Best wishes,
Ivan

ciao Septimiu!
good capture of this beetle in the natural environment...perfecr definition and details

best sERGIO

Hi Septimiu,
Excellent macro capture of this female stag beetle from a nice POV with wonderful clarity.
TFS and cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • danar Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 30 W: 0 N: 10] (206)
  • [2009-02-05 15:20]

Hi Septymiu,

un macro perfect !!!

o compozitie perfecta !!!

Well done and thanks for sharing .
o zi buna .
Dana.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-02-05 15:45]

Hi Septimiu,

A perfect capture of this Stag Beetle. The clarity and colors are top notch. Wonderful details of the bug posed on the stump. The setting and composition are excellent.

Jane

Hello Septimiu
a fine capture of this lucanus cervus in his natural environment
taken with a great sharpness, colors and composition are excellent
TFS Jacqueline

  • Great 
  • vral Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 64 W: 1 N: 218] (1049)
  • [2009-02-05 22:11]

Hello Nemes,

Very interesting capture of this Stag Beetle with details and colors. Natural BG and POV are great.
Thanks for sharing
vral

Buena captura Nemes !! y sobre todo un excelente encuadre. Sorprendentes y atractivos colores dentro de un bello conjunto. Un buen trabajo.
Saludos y buen fin de semana: Josep Ignasi.

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