The Aegus Platyodon is one of the larger species among the Nebuto group. Currently, six subspecies have been identified. A notable characteristic is the male’s mandibles. In males around the 40mm class, the inner teeth form a "star shape." This species is one of the most peculiar and attractive due to its unique mandibles. It is relatively heat-tolerant but sensitive to cold, making it suitable for breeding even in environments without summer temperature control. For pairing, while some males can be aggressive, their grip is generally weak, so cohabitation of males and females is usually not problematic. The egg-laying temperature range i...

The Phalacrognatus Muelleri can be found in Australia and New Guinea. Known as the most beautiful stag beetle in the world, it is now classified as a species prohibited from being taken abroad. Regarding egg-laying, experiences tend to be divided between those who report "explosive egg-laying" and those who claim "no eggs at all." For the Rainbow stag beetle ’s egg-laying setup, the main focus should be on the "egg-laying substrate." The presence of wood is optional, as the Rainbow stag beetle lays eggs in the substrate, making the choice of substrate crucial. The most important aspect of caring for the Rainbow stag beetle is temperature....

The Prosopocoilus Lateralis can be mainly found in the Philippines and Indonesia. Most of the beetles imported to Japan come from Sulawesi (Celebes), which is still considered a treasure trove for insects. The climate is divided into rainy and dry seasons, with temperatures staying above 22°C year-round and reaching up to 34°C during hotter periods. The population of the Lateral saw-toothed stag beetle on the island has been decreasing each year due to habitat destruction and overharvesting. Large males of this species can exceed 50mm, but the beetle is still relatively affordable and easy to obtain. For pairing, hand-pairing is recommend...

The Prosopocoilus Savagei inhabits regions near the equator in Africa, with many specimens on the market coming from Cameroon. Cameroon is a country on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, with its southern region characterized by hot and humid tropical rainforests and its northern region featuring hot, dry savanna and steppe climates. The country is home to a wide variety of animal species. The annual average temperature ranges from about 22°C to 24°C, with minimal variation throughout the year. The humidity is relatively high, averaging over 80%. The Guinness record for the Sabage saw-toothed stag beetle male is 62mm. The recommended temper...

The Dorcus Pseudaxis can be found in Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar. Its body length ranges from 16mm to 33mm, making it a very small species. Many females measure less than 10mm. This species resembles the Elegans small stag beetle , but its inner tooth structure is slightly different. The mandibles extend straight forward, and unlike the Elegans , it has only one inner tooth. The adults can withstand relatively high temperatures and have a lifespan of about one year. The "Pseudacis" on this page lived for over a year. This species lays eggs in both wood and substrate, though it tends to prefer wood. It seems to favor soft, high-humidity...

The Dorcus Arrowi is native to India and Indochina. Its elytra are a deep wine red, displaying a unique color not commonly found in other stag beetles. It photographs exceptionally well, so even those who struggle with photography may find it easy to take beautiful pictures.Despite what its name might suggest, this “small stag beetle” can grow to impressive sizes, with larger males easily exceeding 60mm. Its size is notable enough to completely dispel the common perception of a small stag beetle. For egg-laying, there are no special requirements—half-burying soft oviposition wood in fine-grained substrate should result in about 30 offspri...

The Dorcus Elegantulus is said to be the smallest Dorcus in the world. It mainly inhabits islands around Indonesia and boasts beautiful colors. The males only reach a maximum size of about 30mm, while females can be under 10mm. Due to its small size, it requires minimal space for breeding, making it an "energy-efficient beetle." For pairing, cohabitation between the male and female is sufficient, as there is little risk of conflict between them. It is recommended to house the male and female together in a small container for about a week before transferring them to an egg-laying setup. Egg-laying is relatively easy, with eggs laid abundan...

The Dorcus Titanus Palawanicus is the largest flat stag beetle in the world. The body length ranges from 50mm to 110mm for males and 40mm to 50mm for females. The species inhabits Palawan Island in the Philippines, where the average annual temperature is approximately 27°C, with the lowest annual temperature around 21°C. The Palawan Islands are known as the "last frontier of the Philippines" and are surrounded by beautiful coral reefs. The mandibles of the Palawan flat stag beetle are straight and extend linearly. Among large flat stag beetles, it is the most popular and has a distinct subspecies name. Some males have mandibles that exten...

Among the large flat stag beetles, the Palawan flat stag beetle and Sumatran flat stag beetle are particularly popular. When comparing the two, the Palawan variety is more elongated, while the Sumatran variety has greater width and a generally more robust build. The Sumatran flat stag beetle inhabits Sumatra Island in Indonesia, which is larger than Japan and is the sixth-largest island in the world. The body length of the Sumatran flat stag beetle ranges from 40mm to 100mm for males and 30mm to 50mm for females. Some males even exceed 10 cm in length. The position of the inner teeth of the mandibles varies slightly depending on the regio...

The Dorcus Alcides inhabits Sumatra, Indonesia. Males can have long, short, or intermediate mandibles. The record for wild-caught males exceeds 100mm, and they are known for their exceptional aggressiveness. The power of their mandibles is incredibly strong—there are even accounts of them breaking a child’s bone. Care must be taken during pairing due to their strength. If a female is caught by the powerful mandibles of a male, she stands no chance. Hand-pairing is essential. If you choose not to hand-pair and house the male and female together for a few days, be prepared for the risks. The beetles used for pairing should preferably be at ...

The Dorcus Bucephalus is a large and impressive species that inhabits Southeast Asia, specifically only on Java Island in Indonesia. The size ranges from 50mm to 90mm for males and 40mm to 50mm for females. Unlike other flat stag beetles, the Daioh is classified as a distinct species, differing from the Palawan, Mindanao, Sumatra, and Celebes flat stag beetles. A notable characteristic of the male Daioh is its particularly aggressive temperament. It is highly recommended to avoid housing males and females together in the same breeding case. The male’s body is distinguished by its large mandibles, which are sharply curved at the tips. The ...

The Dorcus Hyperion Hyperion , once believed to inhabit only Myanmar, is now also available as specimens from India. The upper wings of the male Hyperion have a distinctive reddish hue. However, there are defining characteristics of the male Hyperion. One is the inner tooth at the base of the mandibles. As indicated by its Japanese name “Onotsuki-Ookuwagata,” it has an axe-shaped inner tooth at the base of its mandibles. Another notable feature is the spiral-shaped genitalia observed during the pupal stage of the male. This "spiral tube" is sure to surprise you. The upper wings of the female have coarse punctures. Identifying the female H...

The Dorcus Schenklingi mainly inhabit Taiwan and is classified as a specie prohibited from being taken abroad. Recently, it has been confirmed that a subspecies exists in China. The male's body shape resembles that of a large domestic Dorcus beetle, which leads to highly varied opinions among beetle breeders regarding its appeal. Their temperament is extremely aggressive, and if a female refuses to mate, the male will attack without hesitation. Therefore, it is recommended to use hand-pairing for mating. Under no circumstances should the male and female be kept in the same container for an extended period. The females have a glossy ap...

The Dorcus Grandis is found in regions such as Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Myanmar, and India. The Grandis beetles from Laos, China, and Vietnam have a prothorax known as the "G-type," while those from India and Myanmar are referred to as the "Kurubi type." There are individual differences depending on the region.Males are generally very docile, and female-killing is rare. The most challenging aspect of keeping this species is egg-laying. Once a female begins to lay eggs and burrows into the substrate, she often does not come back to the surface for more than a month. Since egg-laying is drawn out over an extended period, it is better...

The Dorcus Antaeus inhabits the mountainous regions of countries such as China, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Thailand. It is often mistakenly believed to be a heat-tolerant beetle, but despite living in hot regions, it resides in high-altitude areas, making it heat-sensitive and cold-resistant. Particularly, Antaeus from the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, and Bhutan can even grow in snowy environments, so high temperatures must be avoided. When rearing Antaeus in areas south of Honshu, summer heat countermeasures are essential, as temperatures above 30°C can weaken them. The shape of the male mandibles v...

The Dorcus Hopei inhabits China. It is genetically very similar to the domestic stag beetle, and instances of crossbreeding have been documented. The distinctive feature of the male Hopei beetle is the overlapping of the inner teeth. The larger the beetle, the more the inner teeth curve upward, making the mandibles and inner teeth appear neatly aligned when viewed from above.The Hopei beetle continues to enjoy high popularity, with many enthusiasts keeping them. One notable aspect is that the price of the beetle can vary significantly based on its shape rather than its size. The rearing process is enjoyable due to the subtle differences i...

The Dorcus Curvidens inhabits a wide range of regions including India, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Vietnam, and Laos. The large mandibles of adult males extend straight forward from the base and curve inward at the tip. The inner teeth extend upwards, overlapping with the front part of the mandibles. Hand pairing is recommended for breeding, but even if a male and a female are placed in the same enclosure, it is very rare for the male to clamp and kill the female. In captivity, they are often found together under logs. However, caution is needed during the female's egg-laying period, as she might bite off all of the male’s legs if they ...