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Tokunoshima Flat Stag Beetle
IntermediateDorcus titanus tokunoshimaensis
A subspecies of Dorcus titanus from Tokunoshima in the Amami Islands. A large form close to the Amami flat stag, with wild males recorded in the high 70s in mm. Aggressive; guard against males killing females in captivity.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Temperature
20〜26℃
Lifespan
Adults 1-3 years
Size
Males 50-79.5 mm (including captive; wild up to 78.6 mm) / females 25-40 mm
Humidity
60〜80%
Diet
Tree sap, beetle jelly
About
The Tokunoshima flat stag (Dorcus titanus tokunoshimaensis) is a subspecies of Dorcus titanus from Tokunoshima in the Amami Islands of Kagoshima, described in 1985. Males measure 50-79.5 mm and females 25-40 mm; the BE-KUWA captive record is 79.5 mm (2006) and the wild record 78.6 mm, so it grows large even in the wild. Tokunoshima lies between Amami Oshima and Okinoerabujima, and the subspecies resembles the neighbouring Amami flat stag but is treated as an island-level subspecies. Dorcus metacostatus also occurs on the island. Ecology matches other flat stags: it gathers at sap in evergreen broadleaf forest and is nocturnal, hiding in hollows and under logs. Females lay in the buried base of dead trees or under fallen logs; larvae take 1-2 years and adults live 1-3 years. At 20-26 C it breeds with logs and fermented substrate. It is very aggressive and males often kill females, so keep singly except for pairing. Genetic contamination of Amami flat stags from released beetles is a recognised problem, so never release captive stock.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lifespan of the Tokunoshima Flat Stag Beetle
The Tokunoshima Flat Stag Beetle lives Adults 1-3 years.
Size of the Tokunoshima Flat Stag Beetle
The Tokunoshima Flat Stag Beetle grows to Males 50-79.5 mm (including captive; wild up to 78.6 mm) / females 25-40 mm.
Temperature & humidity for the Tokunoshima Flat Stag Beetle
The ideal temperature for the Tokunoshima Flat Stag Beetle is 20〜26℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Japan (Tokunoshima, Amami Islands, Kagoshima)
Care Specifications
Breeding Records & Localities
Captive record (♂)
79.5 mm
Wild record (♂)
78.6 mm
Record source: BE-KUWA 2025 edition (Tokunoshima flat stag, captive 79.5 mm, 里由一 2006 / wild 78.6 mm, 水沼哲郎; projected maximum 88 mm)
Notable localities
Tokunoshima (Kagoshima)
Regional subspecies
- Dorcus titanus tokunoshimaensis — Tokunoshima
The wild record (78.6 mm) is close to the captive record (79.5 mm); a subspecies that grows large in the wild.
Generation codes
- WD
- Wild-caught
- WF1
- Offspring of a wild-caught female
- F1〜
- Captive generations (same locality)
- CBF1
- Cross-locality captive-bred (reset)
Sources: BE-KUWA Certified Breeding Records (Mushi-sha, FY2025 edition PDF, JA) / Dorcus titanus - Wikipedia (JA)
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Primary sources
- Wikipedia
- CITES Appendix (checklist.cites.org)
- beetlebreeding.ch - The Breeding/Rearing of Dorcus titanus palawanicus by Kay (species-level guidance for D. titanus)
- Mushinavi - Amami flat stag (list of 12 Japanese subspecies) (JA)
- BE-KUWA Certified Breeding Records (Mushi-sha, FY2025 edition PDF, JA)
- GBIF
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Dorcus titanus tokunoshimaensis Fujita & Ichikawa, 1985
Synonyms: Serrognathus titanus tokunoshimaensis
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listed
Sources: CITES Appendix (checklist.cites.org)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Tokunoshima Flat Stag Beetle Listings
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