Thermal effect on larval development of the European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus

Conservation of the threatened and protected European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) mainly focuses on availability dead wood as larval habitat. However, ecology this species remains poorly studied, less attention has been given to other habitat requirements such ambient temperatures for development larvae. To design proper guidelines preservation iconic species, growth larvae is compared between outdoor containers under a warm sunny those in cold shady treatment. Populations originated from Veluwe (Netherlands) Colchester (United Kingdom). The microclimate led lower temperatures, which resulted higher weights before molting an additional year complete part population. were than when comparing same age. This explained by longer time different stages. Finally, we found originating with (UK). We conclude that L. cervus can cope shady, colder microclimates. Larval general takes two three years depends temperature. Larvae grow season while weight constant, or even decreases, during approximate threshold 10 15 C.