Antaeus Stag Beetle

Dorcus antaeus is a large stag beetle of the genus Dorcus, closely related to the Japanese giant stag beetle, distributed across the Himalayan foothills of northeastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and northern Thailand. It inhabits higher elevations than most Dorcus species. Adults reach 40–90 mm in body length, with a deep glossy black body and thick, somewhat shorter mandibles that give the species a heavy, powerful appearance. As a highland species, low-temperature management at 18–23°C is required. Fungal substrate bottle rearing is effective for larvae and can yield impressively large adults. Egg-laying occurs in hardwood logs. Adults have a long lifespan of 1–3 years—similar to the Japanese giant stag—allowing extended captive enjoyment. Adults eat beetle jelly. The combination of familiar Dorcus husbandry methods, long adult lifespan, potential for large specimens, and a distinctive robust physique makes D. antaeus one of the most popular exotic Dorcus species among collectors.

Insect jelly