Alagar's Long-jawed Stag Beetle

Alagar's Long-jawed Stag Beetle key facts

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

Adults 3-4 months

Size

Males 23.3-74.5 mm (wild record 74.0 mm; the captive record is 69.2 mm) / females 21.0-26.1 mm

Temperature

18〜24℃

Diet

Beetle jelly (in the wild it visits flowers of herbaceous plants)

Temperature & Humidity

Keep at 18-24 C. This is a cool-loving montane species, and 16-18 C produces larger adults. Run the egg-laying box at around 16 C with more moisture than usual. Cyclommatus dislike stale humid air, so hold the temperature down while keeping ventilation open.

Breeding & Egg-laying

She lays in a firmly packed substrate set; the genus-standard set of a soft log buried in fine fermented substrate also works. A female in good condition lays 20-30 eggs. High-altitude Cyclommatus are the hard ones to get eggs from, and wild-caught females are said to lay more readily.

Cohabitation

Keep singly. Hand pairing works once the beetles are mature and mating is easy; the female is far smaller than the male but pairs without trouble. The genus is fairly placid, but females are occasionally killed, so move the male to his own container once mating is confirmed.

Lifespan & Rearing Period

Adults live three to four months. They mature one to two months after emergence, but use the start of feeding as the cue to pair them. Larvae take nine to twelve months, and even males can be grown through in an 800 cc container.

Health & Notes

Larvae are normally reared on fully fermented substrate; kawara mycelium works but ordinary mycelium kills them. Getting adults out is a matter of temperature control, but growing large ones is hard and the handling of moisture, temperature and food is still not settled. Keep more than one line to cover the sexes emerging out of step.

About Alagar's Long-jawed Stag Beetle

Alagar's Long-jawed Stag Beetle from Palawan's highlands has a robust, stag-like build unlike its slender relatives. It needs 18-24°C care and lives 3-4 months as an adult — best for experienced keepers.

7 things to know before welcoming a Alagar's Long-jawed Stag Beetle

1. 1Low-Temperature Care Is Key

   Native to the cool highlands of Palawan Island in the Philippines, this species prefers low temperatures and should be kept at 18-24°C. Extra care is needed to avoid heat during summer.

2. 2A Robust, Stag-Like Build

   Unlike many of its slender-jawed relatives among the long-jawed stag beetles, this species has a robust build reminiscent of Miyama or sawtooth stag beetles, giving it a distinctly different look within the group.

3. 3Short Adult Lifespan

   Adults are active for roughly 3 to 4 months. Rather than expecting years of observation, plan your care around making the most of this relatively short adult stage.

4. 4Wide Size Variation in Males

   Adult male body length ranges widely from 23.3 to 74.5mm, with a wild record of 74.0mm and a captive-bred record of 69.2mm. Females range from 21.0 to 26.1mm, showing much less variation than males.

5. 5Suited to Experienced Keepers

   Because consistent low-temperature management is required, this species is considered suitable for experienced keepers. It's best approached after gaining some background in stag beetle care.

6. 6Handle the Mandibles with Care

   Its powerful mandibles mean you should handle it carefully to avoid being pinched. Beetles may also threaten or fight when placed together, so housing them individually is generally recommended.

7. 7Prepare Cooling Gear First

   Since the enclosure needs to stay within 18-24°C year-round, consider preparing a wine cellar or dedicated cooling equipment before bringing one home. Also check how much the room temperature fluctuates where you plan to keep it.

Frequently asked questions about Alagar's Long-jawed Stag Beetle

Q.Can beginners keep this species?

A.Because this species requires consistent low-temperature management, it's considered suitable for experienced keepers rather than beginners. Some prior stag beetle experience is recommended.

Q.Can it be kept at normal room temperature?

A.Since it comes from a cool highland habitat, room-temperature keeping is not suitable. Aim to maintain the enclosure at 18-24°C.

Q.How long do adults live?

A.Adults are typically active for about 3 to 4 months. Beetles that have already been adults for a while may have less time remaining.

Q.How large does this species grow?

A.Males range from 23.3 to 74.5mm and females from 21.0 to 26.1mm. The wild record is 74.0mm, while the captive-bred record stands at 69.2mm.

Q.Why does it look different from other long-jawed stag beetles?

A.While many long-jawed stag beetles have slender mandibles, this species stands out for its robust build, resembling Miyama or sawtooth stag beetles more than its own close relatives.

Useful tools for Alagar's Long-jawed Stag Beetle care

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