Golden Stag Beetle
Lamprima aurata
Their brilliant metallic coloration is not caused by pigment, but by microscopic structures in their exoskeleton that refract light like a prism.
- Scientific name
- Lamprima aurata
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Coleoptera › Lucanidae › Lamprima
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Sclerophyll forests, woodlands, and suburban gardens containing eucalyptus trees.
- Diet
- Adults feed on eucalyptus sap, nectar, and sweet organic liquids; larvae feed on decaying wood.
- Range
- Eastern Australia, Tasmania
- Size
- Males: 20-38 mm; Females: 15-25 mm
- Lifespan
- 1 to 2 years (mostly spent as larvae; adults live for 2 to 4 months)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Loss of old-growth forest habitats and the removal of fallen timber and dead logs which larvae rely on for development.
- Safe to approach?
- This species is harmless to humans. While males possess large, impressive mandibles used for wrestling rivals, they are not venomous and will only deliver a mild, non-toxic pinch if severely mishandled. Observe them from any distance. If you must handle one, let it crawl onto your hand voluntarily and avoid pinching its body.
The golden stag beetle ( Lamprima aurata ) is a species of beetles in the family Lucanidae. It measures between 15 and 25 mm in length and is relatively common in eastern Australia. It feeds mainly on vegetation such as Eucalyptus or Acacia .
Photo: pimelea, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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