How long do Stag Beetles live?
Adults survive roughly 1-2 years (some species only a few months), while the larval stage lasts 1-5 years in captivity before pupation. Most of the keeper's effort goes into the multi-year larva.
What do Stag Beetles eat?
Adults eat beetle jelly, mashed fruit, and tree sap; larvae eat decaying hardwood and fermented flake soil. Offer jelly 2-3 times weekly and replace rotting substrate for grubs as it is consumed.
Enclosure setup
Adults need a 5-10 gallon tank with branches, 70-78°F, and moderate humidity. Larvae require a deep, temperature-stable container of flake soil or rotten wood changed regularly; avoid condensation.
Common mistakes with Stag Beetles
Big errors are unstable larval temperatures that stall growth, soil too wet or too dry for grubs, using wild-collected wood that carries mites, and letting adults escape (they fly and climb).
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- Letting larval temperatures swing, which stalls or kills the grub.
- Keeping the rearing soil too wet, causing mold and rot.
- Using unsterilized wild wood that introduces mites and fungi.
- Leaving the adult tank open - they can fly and climb out.