Working Group on Iberian Lucanidae(GTLI)

Justification and objectives
The Stag Beetle, Lucanus cervus, is the biggest beetle in Europe. Males have huge mandibles -from which the species takes its common name- which are utilised in the fights for the females. While the adult life does not exceed of two months, larvae develop during several years withind decaying wood.

Despite being a large and conspicuous beetle, many details about its biology are unknown. The objective of this project is to gather a bibliographic data base about Lucanus cervus, and the remaining Iberian Lucanidae species, biology. A further objective is that GTLI should help to improve coordination between those entomologists interested in carrying out field or captivity studies about the biology of Lucanidae. In many cases, a permission from the authorities will be required and GTLI can falicitate the contact between entomologists and authorities.

Results
Currently, a bibliographic data base about Lucanus cervus biology is available. This information has been summarized in an article "Biology of the Stag Beetle: ‘de lo poco conocido y lo mucho por conocer’" published in 1996 in Boletín de la S.E.A. 15 (pp. 19-23) and reproduced here with permission (an English version can be found here). That article compiles a big portion of literature about the natural history of Stab Beetle. Data obtained since the publication of that article are included in a version 3.1.

An article summarizing the distribution and the few existing biological information about Pseudolucanus barbarossa has been produced: "Distribución de Pseudolucanus barbarossa (Fabricius 1801) (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) en la Península Ibérica". Additional information about the biology of this species can be found in Jeremías & Escolà (2003).

An article summarizing the distribution and the biological information known for Sinodendron cylindricum has been published: "Sinodendron cylindricum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) en la Península Ibérica: distribución y datos biológicos".

GTLI hopes to make available in the future similar articles about the biology of the remaining species of Iberian Lucanidae.

How to collaborate
1.-Sending to GTLI literature or field observations about the biology of Iberian Lucanidae.

2.- Writting an article which summarizes the information available about the biology of any Iberian Lucanidae. GTLI will provide relevant literature.

3.- Carrying out field studies, or studies of caged animals, about Lucanidae biology. Observations of the behaviour of the adults are very interesting. GTLI can provide advice about this and other projects.

References

Jeremías, X. & Escolà, O. 2003. Nuevos registros de Pseudolucanus barbarossa (Fabricius, 1801) (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) en Cataluña, y algunas observaciones sobre su biología. Boln. S.E.A. 32: 99-103.