Insect Encyclopedia — 75 Species Directory
Encyclopedia of popular beetles and stag beetles with care guides, traits, and breeding methods.
Featured Insect
Showing 3 of 75 species
© Didier Descouens / CC BY-SA 4.0Five-horned Beetle
Eupatorus gracilicornis
Unique beetle with five horns on head and thorax. Southeast Asian origin. Relatively small and easy to keep.
Five hornsUniqueEntry-level

Nebuto Stag Beetle
Aegus laevicollis
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
© keusju / CC BY-SA 3.0Papuan Golden Stag
Lamprima adolphinae
A small stag beetle with vivid metallic sheen. Varied colors: green, blue, purple, gold.
Papuan GoldenMetallicSmall
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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.