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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

Five-horned Beetle

Eupatorus gracilicornis

Beginner

Unique beetle with five horns on head and thorax. Southeast Asian origin. Relatively small and easy to keep.

Five hornsUniqueEntry-level
Nebuto Stag Beetle

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

Papuan Golden Stag

Lamprima adolphinae

Beginner

A small stag beetle with vivid metallic sheen. Varied colors: green, blue, purple, gold.

Papuan GoldenMetallicSmall

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.