Hexarthrius mandibularis explained

Hexarthrius mandibularis is one of the world's largest stag beetle.^[1] It belongs to the tribe Lucanini, in the family Lucanidae.^[2]

This beetle has a dull, dark, brick reddish body. Both the legs and antennae are blackish. The most notable characteristic are the large, antler-like mandibles. These have small teeth running down the inside edge, with one large, forward-pointing pair located approximately a third of the way down from the tips. The tips are forked inward somewhat.

During the larval stage, Hexarthrius mandibularis lives in rotten hardwood, feeding on it. Later, during the imago stage, it consumes tree juice.

Subspecies

There are two subspecies, both native to Indonesia:^[3]

• Hexarthrius mandibularis mandibularis Deyrolle, 1881^[4]

This subspecies grows to a maximum length of 115 mm. It is indigenous to Kalimantan.

• Hexarthrius mandibularis sumatranus Mizunuma, 1994^[5]

This subspecies grows to a maximum length of 118.5 mm. It is indigenous to Sumatra.

External links

• Close up image of mandibles
• Image

Notes and References

1. http://www.beetlebreeding.ch/archiv/hmsbreeding.htm The Breeding and Rearing of Hexarthrius mandibularis
2. Web site: HEXARTHRIUS MANDIBULARIS SUMATRANUS (MIZUNUMA, 1994) : LES LUCANIDAE DU MONDE . Lucanesdumonde.skynetblogs.be . 2012-02-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041217/http://lucanesdumonde.skynetblogs.be/archive/2007/09/05/hexarthrius-mandibularis-sumatranus-mizunuma-1994.html . 2016-03-04 . dead .
3. Web site: The Breeding/Rearing of Hexarthrius mandibularis sumatranus . Harink.com . 2012-02-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100530105234/http://harink.com/benjamin/hmsbreeding.htm . 2010-05-30 .
4. Web site: BioLib - Hexarthrius mandibularis mandibularis . Biolib.cz . 2011-07-05 . 2012-02-15.
5. Web site: BioLib - Hexarthrius mandibularis sumatranus . Biolib.cz . 2011-07-05 . 2012-02-15.