Numbers
38 spp. in 8 genera of 3 subfamilies in our area, ~1500 spp. in 109 genera worldwide
(1)Identification
Medium to large, usually brownish or black beetles. Males of some species have spectacular jaws. Summary of family characteristics:
antennae 10-segmented, last 3-7 variously enlarged, often forming a club,
geniculate in most nearctic genera, unlike those of
Passalidae
tarsal formula 5-5-5, tarsal claws equal in size
Antennae similar to those of
scarabs but club looser
Detail of legs, including tarsal segments and claws, of
Lucanus capreolus:
Males of some large species have spectacular jaws:
Larvae of C-shaped scarabaeoid type, with
stridulating organ on hind legs, which are not reduced as in
Passalidae. Anus longitudinal between 2 large, oval, often sclerotized (hard, dark) pads
(2), unlike in related families
Key to North American Genera adapted from
(3)
1. Antennae elbowed at end of first segment --> 2
Antennae not elbowed, but straight in its entirety. --> 5
2. Eye divided into upper and lower parts by a
canthus (canthus short in
Lucanus). --> 3
Eyes without dividing canthus. --> 4
3. Elytra appearing smooth, punctures fine. -->
Lucanus (4 spp.)
Elytra with distinct stria and larger punctures, except in male majors of
D. brevis. -->
Dorcus (2 spp.)
4. Front of head distinctly, broadly
emarginate. Male mandibles complex with internal teeth. Females winged. -->
Platycerus (5 spp.)
Front of head not strongly emarginate. Male mandibles simply blade-like (as in females). Females wingless. -->
Platyceroides (16 spp.)
5. Body short, oval. Elytra noticeably hairy. -->
Nicagus (2 spp.)
Body elongate. Elytra not hairy and with noticeable
stria. --> 6
6. Body more cylindrical. Male with conspicuous horn, female with sharp tubercle. Mandibles small. nw. NA -->
Sinodendron (1 sp.)
More flattened. Neither sex having horn. Mandibles conspicuous. w. & e. NA -->
Ceruchus (3 spp.)
Range
Worldwide; most NA spp. associated with forested areas
Habitat
Normally woodlands. One species found in Texas sand dunes. Others associated with driftwood along bodies of water. Larvae mostly in decaying wood.
Life Cycle
Larvae feed on decaying wood. Pupation takes place in a cell of gnawed wood fragments
(2). Males often have enlarged jaws used for fighting.
Print References
Grossi P.C., Paulsen M.J. (2009) Generic limits in South American stag beetles: taxa currently misplaced in
Sclerostomus Burmeister (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Lucaninae: Sclerostomini). Zootaxa 2139: 23-42 (
Abstract)
