Sweden Asks Public to Report Stag Beetles

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the SLU Artdatabanken are asking citizens to report sightings of the great stag beetle across Sweden. Six years after a similar public request, authorities again seek help in tracking the beetle’s distribution. The great stag beetle, Europe’s largest beetle, faces threats from overgrown meadows and dark coniferous forests.

In 2020, the public reported over 16,000 stag beetles, revealing a growing population and expanding range. Biologist Nicklas Jansson of the Östergötland County Administrative Board hopes for similar engagement. Male beetles can grow to nine centimeters long and are most common in the counties of Blekinge, Kalmar, and Östergötland.

The stag beetle’s larvae break down dead wood, enriching the soil. Protecting the stag beetle also safeguards other species that feed on it, but researchers still need more data to fully understand population trends. The agency continues to monitor the beetle’s habitat.