Japanese Flat Stag Beetle

Dorcus curvidens is a stag beetle distributed across Taiwan, southern China, and Southeast Asia, closely related to the Japanese small stag beetle (Dorcus rectus). Adults reach 25–70 mm in body length, tending to grow larger than the Japanese counterpart. The body is a glossy black, and the inner mandible edges bear characteristic saw-like serrations. Captive temperature of 22–28°C is suitable. A medium enclosure with fermented substrate or insect mat is sufficient; egg-laying occurs in hardwood logs or directly in substrate. Larvae develop well in fungal substrate bottles or fermented substrate. Adults eat beetle jelly and live approximately 3–6 months. Its manageable care requirements, ease of breeding, and potential for producing larger specimens than the native Japanese species make it an appealing introductory exotic stag beetle with room to pursue large-specimen breeding goals.

Jelly (adult) / Fungus bottle or fermented mat (larva)