#rugose stag beetle

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Rugose Stag Beetle - Sinodendron rugosum

No insects were harmed in the making of this video. The finger visible was just gently poking. Today's post marks the 6 year anniversary since this blog's inception! Thank for you, dear reader, for 6 wonderful years of insect photography, research and appreciation. And thank you to my friends, family and followers for your support and contributions. This post is representative of that, and how the reach of this blog extends further than ever, with many unique and interesting species to find and enjoy on this blog (and my YouTube Channel as well) from Toronto and other regions of Canada. Cheers to many more great years on the horizon, with lots more insects to share with everyone.

With that excellent horn on its face and its well-armored shell, this insect could easily be mistaken for a Scarab Beetle (of the family Scarabaeidae). I was hopeful that my dear friend had sent me some variety of Squamish Rhinoceros Beetle, but its profile didn't quite match other horned Scarabs of similar stature (they tend to be more heavily armored and bulky). The pebbling on the wingcase is quite prominent, which led to the confirmation of this insect's identification. As it turns out, this Beetle is one of a variety of horned Stag Beetles (of the family Lucanidae). The two Beetle families aren't that far apart in terms of relation (both are under the Superfamily of Scarabaeoidea), and the males of both family branches use large horns or mandibles to fight against rival males to secure mates (females lack a facial weapon). As such, this specie of Beetle relies on its bulk to keep it stable and its horn to flip rivals over. Of course, there's much more to worry about in the wilderness after emerging from wood as an armored adult. Despite the integrity of its armor, it doesn't protect against everything in the insect world. The Ants scurrying around this Beetle were definitely probing for a vulnerable spot of the underside, but the Beetle moved along, seemingly undeterred.

Video was recorded in Squamish on June 12, 2024 with an iPhone 12.

[onenicebugperday]

@snkl-frtz submitted: I'm pretty sure this is a rhinoceros beetle, seen near to Goldstream Falls on Vancouver Island. He was so wee and landed for maybe fifteen seconds before taking off again.

Despite the deceptive horn, this lovely man is a stag beetle rather than a rhinoceros beetle. Specifically a rugose stag beetle, Sinodendron rugosum.

[herpsandbirds]

Trick or Treat!

Places this gently in your hand...

Rugose Stag Beetle (Sinodendron rugosum), family Lucanidae, San Mateo County, CA, USA

photograph by Jeremiah D. Degenhardt

[mipseb]

sadly dead californian rugose stag beetle (Sinodendron rugosum) I'm in portland OR so this is kinda surprising

[vita-insectum]

@kumagoro4ever if you don’t mind me asking, where are you located?  This appears to be  Sinodendron rugosum, the rugose stag beetle.  Which is unique because rather than the large mandibles has the clypeal horn more characteristic of a scarab than a stag

This cute little guy landed on my head and got tangled up in my hair. I had to have someone get him out for me. haha

I let him crawl around on my hand for a while before he took off.

[northwestnaturalist]

Sinodendron rugosum "Rugose Stag Beetle" Lucanidae

Tacoma, WA July 2, 2013 Robert Niese

This adorable stag beetle is the only member of its genus found in North America. It is also commonly consumed by the endangered Spotted Owl.

[somuchscience]

Sinodendron rugosum (Rugose Stag Beetle, Lucanidae)

This ruggedly rugose stage beetle was collected in Tacoma, Washington. It is the only member of its genus found in the New World, and is restricted to the Pacific Northwest and parts of California.

[garlic8reath]

This rugose stag beetle keeps wandering around my front step. I didn't even know that these kinds of beetles lived here until this one showed up.

[onenicebugperday]

@vulnicura submitted: two cute rugose stag beetles!

Yes............incredible. Look at how small they are. Just small sturdy friends. Can you believe we get to live on the same planet as these dudes? I will think about that every day