Giant stag beetle - Ookuwagata

Japanese: オオクワガタ - おおくわがた

This insect belongs to the order Coleoptera and family Lucanidae. It is found throughout Japan, but in small numbers. The body length of males is 32-72 mm, while females are 36-41 mm. The body is black, sturdy, and slightly flattened. It is the largest of all stag beetles in Japan, and is highly prized. The central tooth of the male's mandible points slightly upwards, and in large individuals it protrudes diagonally forward, while in small individuals it protrudes inward at a right angle. The female's upper teeth are shiny, with 12 rows of punctations on each side. It lives in the hollows of mulberry trees and other trees, and can also be found on fallen logs. The larvae develop in rotting wood. There are records of adults living for seven years.

[Takehiko Nakane]

[Reference] | Stag beetle

Giant stag beetle
The largest of the stag beetles in Japan. They live in tree cavities such as those of mulberry trees, and can also be found on fallen trees. Body length of males is 32-72mm, females 36-41mm. Lucanidae ©Shogakukan Photo by Okuyama Hisashi ">

Giant stag beetle

Major types of stag beetles [specimen illustrations]
©Toshio Sekiguchi ">

Major types of stag beetles [specimen illustrations]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

昆虫綱甲虫目クワガタムシ科に属する昆虫。日本全土に分布するが少ない。体長は雄32～72ミリメートル、雌36～41ミリメートル。体は黒色を帯び頑丈で、やや平たい。日本のクワガタムシ類中もっとも大きいので珍重される。雄の大あごの中央歯はやや上向きで、大形の個体では斜前方へ、小形の個体では直角に内方へ向いて突出する。雌の上ばねは光沢があり、各12条の点刻列がある。クワなどの樹洞にすみ、倒木上にもみられる。幼虫は朽ち木中で育つ。成虫は7年生きた記録がある。

［中根猛彦］

[参照項目] | クワガタ

オオクワガタ
日本のクワガタムシ類中もっとも大きい。クワなどの樹洞にすみ、倒木上にもみられる。体長雄32～72mm、雌36～41mm。クワガタムシ科©Shogakukan　撮影／おくやまひさし">

オオクワガタ

クワガタムシのおもな種類〔標本画〕

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