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Helms Stag Beetle


Helms Stag Beetle
Photo Information
Copyright: Steve Reekie (LordPotty) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1449 W: 146 N: 3764] (12035)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-02-24
Categories: Insects
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/80 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-02-25 14:13
Viewed: 718
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Helms Stag Beetle
Scientific name: Geodorcus helmsi
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Lucanidae

This is New Zealands largest Stag Beetle,although still relatively small compared to exotic species.
It is flightless and is only found in the South Island of New Zealand,and a few offshore islands,where it can reach about 42mm in length.
It is most commonly found in the wettest rainforests of South Westland (although I found this one near Greymouth).
The grubs are large and cream coloured and live in peraty soil,feeding on decomposing plant material.
The adults walk very slowly,and being flightless,are easy prey for introduced mammals like rats and stoats.
The males large mandibles are not used for defense,but more for confrontations between rival males.
They tend to participate in wrestling matches,in which the jaws are used to flip each other over.
In the daytime it remains under logs and stones but emerges at night to feed on sap exuded from tree trunks.
They can sometimes be found at the base of large Kahikatea trees eating the gum from the bark.

About 1300 specie of Stag Beetle are known worldwide;about 30 in New Zealand,most of them unique to this country,including four flightless Threatened Species and several other large,flightless species found only on offshore islands.

This one was found dead and lying upside down on a track not far from Greymouth. It seemed to have strayed too far from the moist shelter of the rainforest,and possibly perished in the heat of the sun.I picked it up and placed it on this gum leaf to photograph it without too much of a cluttered background.
Hope you like it.
Cheers
Steve
rousettus, matatur, Argus, boreocypriensis, cicindela, Morigann has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Argus: Yes,it is a maleLordPotty 1 02-26 04:48
To cicindela: LucanidaeLordPotty 1 02-25 17:30
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Steve,
what an amazing capture with a big Helms Stag Beetle.
Regard
Pierre

Hi Steve!
I had no idea that there are any Lucanidae beetles in NZ! This species looks really interesting! So big pronotum and head! Wonderful creature! And this picture reminds me that I have some photos of the biggest European Lucanidae species - I must look for them ;)
Interesting and informative note too!
Greetings,
Radomir

Hi Steve, a wonderful capture of this beetle which is novelty for me.
TFS and cheers,
Bayram

A fine specimen with powerful looking mandibles Steve, captured expertly on a dry leaf from a good POV, a higher value like an f/4.0 would render the left hind foot sharp, I think...
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3808 W: 190 N: 11328] (34927)
  • [2009-02-26 3:28]
  • [+]

Hello Steve,
Even though it is a dead specimen it is a fine illustration of this Lucanid Beetle. Presumably this is a male with the female having smaller jaws? Nicely presented on the leaf with most of it sharp.
Thanks and cheers,
Ivan

Namastay Steve,
A nice capture of this beautiful Stag Beetle. Superb sharp details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Sincerely
Hara

hello Steve
wauwh a great mouth never seen before
graet picture
good details
super
greeting lou

Ciao Steve, great macro of fantastic bug, wonderful details and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hello Steve
very interesting beetle species. you captured it on old leave with a nice shot. focus, POV and composition very nice, also lighting and colors. thanks for sharing, have a nice weekend friend.
Ahmet

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