Wildlife

Stag Beetle Welfare and Deadwood Habitat

Stag beetles are the UK's largest terrestrial insect and depend entirely on buried decaying wood for larval development across a seven-year period, making deadwood habitat availability the critical welfare factor.

Key Facts

Stag beetle larvae spend up to 7 years feeding on buried decaying hardwood
The UK holds one of the largest stag beetle populations in Europe
Loss of old trees and removal of deadwood are the primary drivers of population decline
Females lay eggs in buried wood and can be killed by traffic when dispersing in summer

Welfare Considerations

Stag beetle welfare is inseparable from deadwood availability. The removal of fallen wood, old tree stumps and buried timber from gardens and parkland has significantly reduced larval habitat. Adults face mortality from traffic and predation during their brief above-ground period. Garden log piles provide meaningful habitat at a local level.

What You Can Do

Create a stag beetle loggery by burying hardwood logs vertically in a sunny spot
Never remove old tree stumps from gardens as they may support larvae for years
Reduce night lighting in gardens during the June-July adult flight period
Record stag beetle sightings via the Great Stag Hunt citizen science survey