How much do beetles cost?

Japanese rhinoceros beetles cost 300-1,000 yen, giant stag beetles 2,000-30,000 yen, and Hercules beetles 5,000-50,000+ yen depending on species and size.

Can beginners start keeping insects?

Japanese rhinoceros beetles and saw stag beetles are easy to keep and great for beginners. A basic container and beetle jelly from a 100-yen shop is all you need to start.

How long do beetles live?

Adult rhinoceros beetles live 2-3 months, saw stag beetles 3-6 months. Giant stag beetles can live 2-5 years as adults, offering years of enjoyment.

What are the benefits of raising larvae?

Larvae are cheaper than adults and you get to experience the thrill of eclosion. Raising large specimens using fungus bottles or substrate is rewarding and educational.

What should I check when buying insects?

Check that tarsi (feet) are intact, the insect is active, and there are no mites. Choose specimens with documented size and lineage information.

Insect Encyclopedia — 75 Species Directory

Encyclopedia of popular beetles and stag beetles with care guides, traits, and breeding methods.

Featured Insect

Mandibularis Stag Beetle Atlas Beetle Palawan Stag Beetle

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Exotic Large Stag beetle Africa Native Southeast Asia Golden Domestic Metallic Beautiful Small Rhinoceros beetle Entry-level Easy keeping Camouflage

Showing 32 of 75 species(25–32)

Maya Hercules Beetle

Dynastes maya

Intermediate

White rhinoceros beetle from Central America. Related to Hercules beetle with white to yellow elytra. Medium adult size, easier to keep than Hercules.

Rhinoceros beetleExoticWhite

Mecynorrhina Flower Beetle

Intermediate

A large flower chafer from Africa. Attractive metallic green color and large horn.

MecynorrhinaFlower chaferMetallic

Metallifer Stag Beetle

Cyclommatus metallifer

Intermediate

A stag beetle with extremely long mandibles relative to body length. Beautiful metallic sheen and slender body.

MetalliferLong mandiblesMetallic

Nebuto Stag Beetle

Aegus laevicollis

Intermediate

A small stag beetle with coarse longitudinal ridges on the elytra. Found from Honshu to Okinawa. It lays into fine substrate made from red-rotten pine, so breeding takes a little know-how.

NativeRidged elytraSubstrate-laying

Palawan Giant Stag Beetle

Dorcus titanus palawanicus

Intermediate

Called the worlds strongest — the largest Dorcus species reaching 110mm. Incredibly strong grip. Popular in beetle battles.

Worlds strongestGiant stagPalawan

Parryi Stag Beetle

Hexarthrius parryi

Intermediate

A large two-pronged stag beetle distributed in India, Myanmar, Thailand, and nearby areas. Features long bifurcated mandibles and is one of the largest species in its genus. The body luster and mandible shape are highly valued by enthusiasts.

LargeExoticStag beetle

Rhaetulus Stag Beetle Gigas

Rhaetulus crenatus gigas

Intermediate

A stag beetle from Southeast Asia belonging to the Rhaetulus genus. The uniquely shaped mandibles extending like horns evoke deer antlers, which is the origin of its name. The gigas subspecies tends to grow particularly large and impressive.

LargeExoticStag beetle

Sumatran Giant Stag Beetle

Dorcus titanus

Intermediate

A large flat stag beetle from Sumatra with flattened body and large mandibles. A popular exotic stag beetle rivaling the Japanese Dorcus hopei in popularity. Some individuals exceed 100mm in size, creating an overwhelming presence.

LargeExoticStag beetle

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Insect FAQ

How much do beetles cost?: Japanese rhinoceros beetles cost 300-1,000 yen, giant stag beetles 2,000-30,000 yen, and Hercules beetles 5,000-50,000+ yen depending on species and size.
Can beginners start keeping insects?: Japanese rhinoceros beetles and saw stag beetles are easy to keep and great for beginners. A basic container and beetle jelly from a 100-yen shop is all you need to start.
How long do beetles live?: Adult rhinoceros beetles live 2-3 months, saw stag beetles 3-6 months. Giant stag beetles can live 2-5 years as adults, offering years of enjoyment.
What are the benefits of raising larvae?: Larvae are cheaper than adults and you get to experience the thrill of eclosion. Raising large specimens using fungus bottles or substrate is rewarding and educational.
What should I check when buying insects?: Check that tarsi (feet) are intact, the insect is active, and there are no mites. Choose specimens with documented size and lineage information.