Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#4466
Lucanus elaphus - female

Lucanus elaphus - Female
Guess Road at Lowell, Durham County, North Carolina, USA
June 19, 2004
Size: 30 mm
This female L. elaphus was found under a light, about 10:00 p.m. This photo shows the remarkable defensive posture taken by the beetle as I placed it on a foam rubber pad (gently) for photography.

Length, excluding mandibles, was measured at about 30 mm, including mandibles it was about 34 mm. Female of this species is similar to Lucanus (Pseudolucanus) capreolus. It can be told apart by the dark femora, the multiple teeth on jaws, and the very smooth, not punctate, pronotum. Note also the rather pointed labrum, which is more rounded in Lucanus capreolus (see comments below). Compare this female Lucanus capreoulus:



Released in suitable habitat after this photo session.

Images of this individual: tag all
Lucanus elaphus - female Lucanus elaphus - female Lucanus elaphus - female

L. elaphus females
This photo shows a good character for identifying female L. elaphus. The labrum (front of the head between the mandibles) is only pointed and triangular in females of this species. Females of L. capreolus or L. placidus have this structure blunt and truncated (never pointed).

MJ Paulsen

Great pictures
Great pictures