The Natural "Deer" of the Woods
The most striking feature of the male Stag Beetle is its oversized mandibles, which resemble the antlers of a stag (deer).
- Gentle Giants: Despite their fearsome appearance, these "antlers" are not used for biting people, but for wrestling other males during the mating season to win the favor of a female.
- Size Matters: They can reach lengths of up to 8-9 centimeters, making them the largest beetles in Europe.
A high-detail macro shot of a male Stag Beetle (Rădașca) with large mandibles, climbing an oak tree trunk in a sunlit Romanian forest.
In Romanian folklore, it is said that at the beginning of time, when God was giving each creature its purpose, the Stag Beetle was much smaller and had no antlers.
The Guardian of the Oak: The legend says that the Stag Beetle was chosen to be the guardian of the sacred Oak trees. Because the Oak is the "King of the Forest," its guardian needed a symbol of nobility.
The Gift of the Stag: One day, a majestic stag (cerb) stopped to rest near an old oak. Seeing the small beetle working hard to clean the tree of decay, the stag was so impressed that he asked the Creator to give the beetle a tiny version of his own antlers.
The Symbol of Protection: From that day on, the beetle became Rădașca (the "Little Stag"). It was believed that finding one in your garden or near your house was a sign of protection and strength, as the beetle was thought to "fight away" the invisible spirits that harmed the trees.
Life in the Ancient Oaks
Rădașca depends entirely on old, decaying wood, especially oak.
-A Long Journey: A Stag Beetle spends most of its life (up to 5 or 7 years) as a larva deep inside rotten tree stumps. Once they emerge as adults, they only live for a few weeks in the summer (June-July) to reproduce.
-Twilight Flyers: If you are walking through a Romanian forest at dusk in early summer, you might hear a loud, low-pitched hum—that’s the sound of the Stag Beetle in flight.
Conservation Status
In Romania, the Stag Beetle is a protected species. Its presence is an indicator of a healthy ecosystem. Because they rely on old wood, the preservation of ancient forests is crucial for their survival.
A video presenting a fight of The Stag Beetles:
FAQ: The Stag Beetle (Rădașca)
1. Are Stag Beetles dangerous to humans?
Not at all. While the males have large mandibles, they are not strong enough to cause a serious bite to humans. They are slow-moving and generally peaceful unless they are fighting another male.
2. Where can I see them in Romania?
They are most common in the lowland and hill forests, especially in areas with many oak trees. The forests around Buzău and the Comana Natural Park are well-known spots.
3. What do they eat?
Adults mostly feed on tree sap or the juice of overripe fruits. Most of their "eating" is done during the long larval stage when they consume decaying wood.
4. Why is it called "Rădașcă"?
The name is an old Romanian term. In some regions, children used to call them "flying cows" or "deer beetles" due to their unique shape and the way they fly in a vertical position.
