Sommer's Shining Stag Beetle

Sommer's Shining Stag Beetle key facts

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

A few months as an adult

Diet

Adults take fermented sap of broadleaf trees and beetle jelly; larvae eat humus close to soil

Temperature & Humidity

Odontolabis adults and larvae alike tolerate cold poorly and are said to be unable to survive a winter on mainland Japan or further north. Do not let the substrate dry out.

Breeding & Egg-laying

This is described as one of the hardest species in the genus to keep, the difficulty being to obtain eggs at all. Unlike the species that lay readily in shop-bought rhinoceros-beetle substrate, it is reported to lay sometimes into red-rotted flake. The larvae are reared on spent substrate mixed with the remains of mycelium or on nitrogen-rich rhinoceros-beetle substrate, with red-rotted material used for the difficult species.

Cohabitation

Male Odontolabis are for the most part short-tempered and combative, and a male will sometimes kill a female he does not take to. Several are never kept together and each beetle is housed alone. The larvae too hold their chamber in the humus as territory, attacking and sometimes eating intruders, so they are reared separately.

Lifespan & Rearing Period

For the genus, one to two years pass between hatching and pupation and the adults live a few months. Beetles that have been active for about a month and a half are said to start losing tarsi and antennal segments to necrosis at an increasing rate.

Health & Notes

Besides the nominate form there are subspecies on the Malay Peninsula and Borneo, and stock from different regions should not be mixed. Importing live Scarabaeoidea requires the species identification certificate. Odontolabis larvae compete strongly with other species, so releasing or abandoning the beetles outside their native range must be avoided absolutely.

About Sommer's Shining Stag Beetle

A shining stag beetle from Sumatra and Borneo. Advanced-level care is required, and even breeding is notoriously difficult.

7 things to know before welcoming a Sommer's Shining Stag Beetle

1. 1Advanced-Level Care Required

   This is considered one of the more challenging species within the shining stag beetle group to keep. Daily fine-tuning of temperature and humidity is needed, making it best suited to keepers already comfortable with beetle care. First-time keepers may want to build up experience with easier species first.

2. 2Breeding Is a Major Hurdle

   Getting a female to lay eggs at all is widely regarded as difficult with this species. Setting up a breeding chamber doesn't guarantee results, and patient observation and trial and error are often needed. If you're acquiring one for breeding, keep in mind that success isn't guaranteed.

3. 3Adult Lifespan Is Just a Few Months

   Adults are reported to live for only a few months, so this isn't a species you keep and enjoy over the long haul. After bringing one home, expect to spend the limited time observing daily changes and caring for it closely.

4. 4Know Its Native Range

   This species is found on Sumatra and Borneo, with a subspecies, pahangensis, known from the Malay Peninsula. Its native habitat is a hot, humid tropical region, which is worth keeping in mind when thinking about the conditions to recreate in captivity.

5. 5Distinctive Glossy Body

   As the "shining" in its name suggests, the glossy body surface is one of its main appeals. The way that sheen looks can vary between individuals, adding another layer of enjoyment to close observation. Despite the demanding care requirements, many keepers are drawn to this striking appearance.

6. 6Research Thoroughly Before Bringing One Home

   Because this species is demanding to keep, it's important to research temperature and humidity management and enclosure setup thoroughly before bringing one home. Reviewing care records from experienced keepers and preparing the environment in advance will help.

7. 7Not Listed Under CITES

   Sommer's Shining Stag Beetle is not listed under CITES. In terms of international trade classification, this is the key point to be aware of.

Frequently asked questions about Sommer's Shining Stag Beetle

Q.Can beginners keep this species?

A.This species is considered suited to advanced keepers. Since it requires careful, ongoing adjustment of temperature and humidity, it's best approached after gaining some experience with beetle care.

Q.Is breeding this species difficult?

A.Yes, getting a female to lay eggs at all is considered one of the harder challenges within the shining stag beetle group. Setting up a breeding chamber does not guarantee success.

Q.How long do adults live?

A.Adults are reported to live for only a few months. Since this isn't a species kept for the long term, it helps to be mindful of that limited timeframe from the start.

Q.Where is this species found in the wild?

A.It's found on Sumatra and Borneo, with a subspecies, pahangensis, known from the Malay Peninsula. Its native range lies in a hot, humid tropical region.

Q.Is this species subject to any trade regulations?

A.Sommer's Shining Stag Beetle is not listed under CITES.

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